BSNL Subscribers Increasing Rapidly, Made in India 4G Network Ready: Telecom Minister

Signs of recovery are visible for the government telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which has been facing difficulties for the last few years. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that the number of BSNL subscribers is increasing. With this, indigenous 4G network is ready. Work is being done to convert this network into 5G.

Scindia said that under ‘Self-reliant India’, 4G network using indigenous technology is ready and in a few months its service will be available in the entire country through BSNL. He said, “When Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel launched 4G networks, many people asked why not BSNL? It was the Prime Minister’s resolve that if we have to develop the network of a government telecom company, then we should not go to China or any other company.” Will not use equipment from the country. It was decided that an indigenous technology would be developed.

The challenge for BSNL from private telecom companies is increasing. Big telecom companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have started their 5G services almost in the entire country. Due to this, BSNL was losing subscribers in the last few months. Although. After the tariff increase last month, some subscribers from private telecom companies have shifted to BSNL.

Regarding this, Scindia said, “We will install about 80,000 towers by the end of October. After this, the remaining 21,000 towers will be installed by March next year. This will make downloading easier. We will make some changes in the towers for 5G services. We have to do this and work is being done on it. We will soon complete the journey from 4G to 5G.” Recently, a request was made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help to the company. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) had said that the presence of BSNL is important to control the pricing dominance of private telecom companies. BMS had requested in a letter to Prime Minister Modi that it should be ensured that BSNL is allowed to use 4G and 5G related equipment from international vendors till the indigenous technology is developed.