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India Joins Elite Club with Indigenous 4G Stack for BSNL, Says Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the development of an indigenous 4G telecom stack for BSNL is a major step towards India's self-reliance, placing it among a select group of nations. He highlighted BSNL's revival, noting its first quarterly net profit in nearly 18 years and a growing subscriber base. The government is expanding connectivity, with over 1 lakh 4G towers deployed and a focus on covering border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme. Scindia also cited the success of the BharatNet project in connecting over 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats with broadband.

Key Points: India Develops Indigenous 4G Telecom Stack, Revives BSNL

  • Indigenous 4G stack places India in select group
  • BSNL posts first quarterly profit in 18 years
  • Over 1 lakh 4G towers rolled out
  • BharatNet connects 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats
2 min read

Indigenous 4G stack for BSNL puts India among select nations: Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announces India's indigenous 4G telecom stack for BSNL, marking a major step towards telecom self-reliance and network expansion.

"The development of an indigenous 4G telecom stack for BSNL represents a strategic move towards domestic manufacturing of critical telecom equipment. - Jyotiraditya Scindia"

New Delhi, March 18

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said the development of an indigenous 4G telecom stack for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited marks a major step towards India's self-reliance in telecom equipment, placing the country among a select group of nations with such capabilities.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Scindia said India is steadily moving towards technological independence in the telecom sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The development of an indigenous 4G telecom stack for BSNL represents a strategic move towards domestic manufacturing of critical telecom equipment, placing India among a select group of nations with such capabilities," he stated.

The minister also highlighted the revival of BSNL, saying the public sector telecom company has posted quarterly net profits for the first time in nearly 18 years in FY 2024-25.

He added that BSNL's subscriber base has increased from 8.55 crore to 9.27 crore, showing growing consumer trust.

"Around 1 lakh 4G towers have already been rolled out, and 5G services will be introduced after the 4G network stabilizes," the minister stated.

Scindia further informed the House about the government's efforts to expand mobile connectivity, especially in border and remote areas.

He said villages within 50 kilometres of the international border are now being seen as the "first villages" of the country under the Vibrant Villages Programme, reflecting a shift in development thinking.

The government is also supporting telecom expansion through the Digital Bharat Nidhi, which funds connectivity projects in rural and difficult areas.

In Rajasthan, he said, over 97 per cent of border villages already have mobile coverage.

Highlighting progress in Uttarakhand, the minister said 684 out of 705 border villages have already been connected, with efforts ongoing to cover the rest.

"India now has one of the world's largest telecom networks, supporting services like digital payments and direct benefit transfers," Scindia added.

He also pointed to the success of the BharatNet programme, under which more than 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats have been connected with broadband.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Connecting border villages first is such a smart and necessary policy. Security and development go hand in hand. My husband is posted in Uttarakhand, and he says the improved connectivity has made a real difference for local communities.
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Vikram M
Good news, but the real test is the quality of service. I'm a BSNL user in a Tier-2 city, and while coverage is better, call drops and data speeds are still an issue. I hope this indigenous stack is robust and reliable for the common user.
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Priya S
BharatNet connecting over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats is the unsung hero here. Digital India starts with connectivity in our villages. This is how we bridge the urban-rural divide. More power to BSNL!
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Rohit P
Finally some positive news about BSNL! I remember when everyone was writing it off. The subscriber increase from 8.55 to 9.27 crore shows people are giving it a second chance. Hope they keep the tariffs competitive.
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Michael C
As someone working in tech, placing India among select nations with this capability is significant. It's not just about cost, it's about strategic autonomy and building IP. The focus should now be on innovation, not just replication.
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Ananya R

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