Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is gearing up to launch its 4G services this year, with a nationwide expansion plan set for completion by June next year.
The move comes as BSNL seeks to further enhance its network with the impending transition to 5G.
BSNL’s Commitment to 4G and 5G Services
BSNL’s Chairman, PK Purwar, announced at the India Mobile Congress that the company aims to introduce 4G services in December, progressively extending coverage across the entire country by June.
After achieving this milestone, the company will shift its focus towards upgrading its network to 5G capabilities.
Free 4G SIM Upgrade with Additional Data
In a recent development, BSNL’s Andhra Pradesh unit has unveiled a promotion, offering BSNL users the opportunity to upgrade their older 2G or 3G SIM cards to 4G for free.
Moreover, this transition comes with the added incentive of free 4G data for a three-month period.
To avail of this offer, customers can visit BSNL’s customer service centers, franchise locations, or authorized retailer stores.
Government’s Support for BSNL’s Revival
The Indian government has provided a substantial financial boost to BSNL, allocating a revival package of Rs 89,000 crore to enable the launch of 4G and 5G services.
A statement from the Cabinet highlighted, “With this package, BSNL will emerge as a robust telecom service provider and focus on extending connectivity to remote areas of the country.”
BSNL had reported an increased loss of Rs 8,161 crore in the last fiscal year, up from Rs 6,982 crore in the previous year, primarily due to provisions for Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) payments to the government.
Competitive Landscape for BSNL
As private telecom companies have made significant strides in rolling out 5G services, BSNL faces stiff competition.
Recently, Reliance Jio announced the completion of its 5G network launch in all 22 Licensed Service Areas (LSA), ahead of schedule and spanning all spectrum bands acquired last year.
