BSNL announces 4G to 5G transition
At Kautilya Economic Enclave in 2025, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that BSNL’s 4G network will be upgraded to 5G in the next six to eight months. The move is a major step in India’s digital transformation, promising faster connectivity and improved content across the country. The upgrade will empower millions of BSNL customers to enjoy high-speed internet and flawless digital services.
India joins global 4G club
Scindia noted that India has officially joined the elite global 4G technology club, which includes only five major companies – Huawei, ZTE, Samsung, Nokia and Ericsson. These companies are located in Sweden, Finland, South Korea and China. He stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 92,564 halls connecting every corner of India using fully indigenous 4G norms, which is a reflection of India’s voice-based telecom vision.
Nationwide upgrade to 5G coming
The telecom minister said that BSNL’s indigenously built 4G network will soon be converted into a fully functional 5G system. “In the next six to eight months, we will convert these halls into a 5G network, which will provide complete 5G content across India,” Scindia said. The move will make India one of the many countries in the world with indigenous 5G capabilities.
India’s innovation and technology drive
Scindia praised India’s growing leadership in innovation and telecom technology. He noted that India is now the world’s second largest mobile phone manufacturer and is a fast-growing mecca for artificial intelligence, quantum computing and communication technologies. The upcoming India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025) will showcase over 1,000 real-world use cases of 4G and 5G technologies.
Profitable and global impact
Speaking on the world stage, Scindia said that despite geopolitical challenges and climate-related profit shocks, India is growing at a GDP rate of 7.8 per cent in FY25-26. He also said that India is now an important voice of the Global South, a beacon of stability and innovation. According to Scindia, India is not just a travel destination but a gateway to global wealth.
BSNL’s profitability and expansion path
BSNL’s rapid transformation is part of the government’s Digital India initiative. The state-owned telecom company has launched over 78,000 4G spots and plans to double this number soon. With financial support from the government and the support of Indian technology companies like Tejas Networks, C-DOT and TCS, BSNL is poised to play a key role in India’s 5G revolution and digital transformation.
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