PM unveils BSNL’s swadeshi 4G network, commissions 97,500 towers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) long-awaited Swadeshi 4G network from Jharsuguda, Odisha, marking a significant milestone in India’s drive for telecom self-reliance. Alongside the rollout, he commissioned nearly 98,000 new mobile towers, with over 92,600 equipped with 4G technology.

Built at a cost of approximately ₹37,000 crore, the network and towers have been developed entirely with Indian technology. Officials highlighted that the new system is cloud-based and designed for smooth upgradation to 5G, making it a future-ready infrastructure backbone.

The initiative is expected to bridge connectivity gaps in rural and remote areas. More than 26,700 previously unserved villages, including 2,472 in Odisha, will now gain mobile coverage. Many of these regions are in difficult terrain, border zones, or areas affected by extremism.

Coinciding with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations, the launch was presented as part of the government’s larger Digital India and Make in India missions. Modi emphasized that the next decade would be transformative for Odisha, announcing plans for a semiconductor park in the state to strengthen its role in India’s tech sector.

The newly commissioned towers also incorporate solar power systems, making this one of the country’s largest clusters of green telecom infrastructure. The government additionally unveiled the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative, aimed at achieving 100 percent 4G saturation across 29,000–30,000 villages through a mission-mode approach.

With this rollout, India joins the select group of countries that design and manufacture their own telecom equipment. Officials underscored that reducing import dependence will boost domestic innovation and position BSNL as a key player in India’s digital transformation journey.