New Delhi, Sep 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch two major telecom initiatives on September 27 — BSNL’s indigenous 4G stack and the nationwide 100% 4G saturation project under the Digital Bharat Nidhi scheme, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday.
Scindia said the 4G stack will be rolled out at nearly 98,000 sites across the country, serving BSNL’s 22 million customers. The system is fully software-driven, cloud-based and designed for a smooth upgrade to 5G, he added.
He highlighted that the 4G saturation scheme will connect uncovered villages, particularly in remote and underserved regions, while also boosting India’s telecom manufacturing ecosystem. Global firms are increasingly partnering with Indian companies, he said, citing tie-ups involving Cisco, Ericsson, VVDN, Jabil and Dixon.
The minister praised the role of C-DOT and Tejas Networks in developing Radio Access Network equipment with export potential, especially for the Global South. He also noted BSNL’s capital expansion plans, supported through cash flows, land monetisation and central assistance.
On pricing, Scindia ruled out regulation, stressing that India already has the world’s cheapest telecom services at just 11 cents per GB compared to a global average of $2.49.
BSNL, which recently posted operating profits despite heavy capital expenditure of ₹25,000 crore in FY24-25, is expected to play a key role in India’s telecom growth story, Scindia said.
