BSNL steps up rural 4G push, expands connectivity across remote areas in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi, August 14
State-run telecom company BSNL is stepping up the expansion of 4G services in remote and previously unconnected areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with thousands of villages being brought under mobile connectivity and further expansion planned in the two states, senior officials said on Friday.
In Odisha, BSNL has installed 1,741 new 4G mobile towers under a Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded project, providing 4G services to 2,487 remote and unconnected villages, BSNL Odisha Circle Chief General Manager D K Behera said at a press conference in Bhubaneswar.
"Additionally, 865 new villages will be covered with 4G mobile services by March 2027," Behera said.
He said BSNL was also working to extend high-speed internet connectivity to schools and healthcare facilities in the state. Under the BharatNet project, high-speed internet will be extended to all 314 blocks and 6,798 Gram Panchayats through an IP-MPLS optical fibre cable ring.
BSNL will also provide Fiber to the Home (FTTH) services to more than 5,000 secondary schools, 1,100 primary health centres and over 6,500 secondary health centres in Odisha, Behera said.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the conference, he further added that BSNL had signed an MoU with the Odisha government to provide internet services to schools and public service establishments, including for digital learning and healthcare services.
On the sidelines of a Press Conference in Andhra Pradesh, BSNL Chief General Manager M Seshachalam said the company has installed 1,350 4G towers in remote areas, covering nearly 2,500 villages where voice and data services were previously unavailable.
BSNL has also received approval for another 890 locations, which will cover nearly 1,500 villages, Seshachalam said.
He said some rural locations were recording high data usage, highlighting the need to maintain connectivity in these areas. In the Manyam region, data usage was around 600 GB per day at some locations, he said.
The company is also introducing new customer offers ahead of Independence Day. Seshachalam said customers can avail a SIM for Rs. 1 under the Freedom Plan, along with unlimited voice calls and 1 GB of data per day.
BSNL has also introduced a Rs. 1,111 FTTH Freedom Plan offering 5,000 GB of data, unlimited voice calls and 25 OTT channels.
Seshachalam further said BSNL was making efforts to ensure that connectivity in rural areas is maintained on par with urban areas as the company expands its 4G network.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for rural India! But let's be honest - BSNL needs to improve its network quality too. I've seen many instances where even with tower installations, the actual speed and stability is poor. Hope they don't just count towers, but ensure real connectivity.
The Rs. 1111 FTTH plan with 5000 GB data sounds amazing! Rural students need this for online classes, and the 1 GB daily data with the Rs. 1 SIM is great value. But I hope BSNL maintains its service quality as it expands, because rural areas deserve the same speed as urban centers.
As someone who works in the healthcare sector, this connectivity push for primary health centers is a game-changer! Telemedicine can now truly reach rural Odisha and AP. Digital Bharat Nidhi is being used wisely here. Kudos to BSNL for the persistent efforts!
Good initiative, but I wish they'd also focus on smaller towns in other states. Also, with Jio and Airtel already covering most villages, BSNL should have acted sooner. Better late than never, I guess. Still, appreciate the effort for equitable digital access. 🙏
It's encouraging to see India's state-run telco prioritizing rural digital inclusion. The data usage in Manyam - 600 GB per day - shows real demand! This is how we bridge the digital divide and empower rural communities. Excited to see the progress in the next few years.
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