In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously developed one lakh 4G sites for pan India deployment.  Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 15.01.2026, total 97,672 4G sites have been installed and 95,511 sites are ON-Air. In Andhra Pradesh, BSNL has installed 6,108 4G sites out of which 6,045 sites are ON-Air as on 15.01.2026. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective.

            As technology evolves, consumers migrate to latest technology, where such technology is deployed. As per that evolution, all 3G subscribers are being given 4G services as part of 4G rollout of BSNL.

            BSNL is upgrading its existing sites by deploying indigenous 4G stacks. Where 4G services are being provided, there is no need for 3G services, therefore, there is no longer requirement of Annual Maintenance Contract for other manufacturers.

            Currently, BSNL is installing 1 lakh 4G towers and on further expansion, BSNL will continue to increase its number of towers as per techno-commercial viability.

            BSNL has increased its customer base from 8.86 crore to 9.28 crore from March, 2024 to December, 2025.

 

This was stated by the Union Minister of Communications and Development of Northeastern Region Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 (RS-STARRED QUESTION NO. 73; 05-02-2026)

 

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