The Madhya Pradesh Police has decided to shift over 80,000 CUG (Closed User Group) SIM cards from BSNL to Airtel, citing slow and unreliable BSNL network services.
The move aims to provide faster and more dependable connectivity for police operations.
This decision is surprising, especially since BSNL, a state-run telecom operator, has been working hard over the past few months to roll out 4G services and install new towers across India.
BSNL Used by MP Police Since 2009
According to Aaj Tak, the MP Police have been using BSNL SIMs for years. Around 9,410 SIMs were issued in 2009, and this number grew to over 70,000 by 2014.
These SIMs helped police stations and posts stay connected using a single-number system. However, as technical demands increased, BSNL’s limited network became a major problem.
BSNL services in many areas were stuck on 2G or 3G, with 4G available only in select locations.
This made it difficult for police officers to send large files, upload video recordings, or transfer important documents.
In several districts like Ujjain, Vidisha, Alirajpur, and Sheopur, BSNL’s signal was reportedly missing or very weak, affecting communication and operations.
Airtel Chosen for Its Fast 5G Network
The switch to Airtel has been ordered by SSP Radio Vijay Khatri, mainly because of Airtel’s fast 5G connectivity.
Now, police personnel must recharge ₹10, send a PORT message to 1900, and share the UPC code with the CUG help desk within two days for the porting process.
Fast Network Is Now a Priority
MP Police has made it clear: they now require high-speed and stable networks to perform duties efficiently.
With new legal requirements, tasks like video recording and document uploads must be completed on time, which is not possible with slow networks.
Meanwhile, the central government is actively strengthening BSNL by expanding 4G and 5G networks through new tower installations.
However, this decision by MP Police shows that quality of service now matters more than government efforts or plans.
