BSNL to Kickstart 4G-to-5G Transition in June 2025, Boosts Indigenous Telecom Expansion

India’s Telecom Sector Set for a Major Shift as BSNL Advances 5G Rollout, Strengthens Domestic Manufacturing

New Delhi, March 18, 2025: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to initiate its 4G-to-5G transition in June 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for an indigenous telecom ecosystem. The move comes as BSNL nears the completion of its 100,000-site 4G deployment, positioning itself as a key player in India’s next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the timeline, stating that 89,000 sites have already been installed, with 72,000 sites commissioned and actively operating. The remaining installations are expected to be completed by May-June 2025, paving the way for a seamless shift from 4G to 5G connectivity.

“Once all 100,000 sites are operational, we will initiate the transition from 4G to 5G, likely starting in June. This will involve additional hardware (BTS) and software upgrades to ensure a smooth upgrade to next-generation connectivity,” Scindia said.

India’s Indigenous Telecom Stack: A Game-Changer in Global Telecom Industry

As part of India’s broader telecom strategy, BSNL is deploying an indigenous telecom stack, positioning the country among an elite group of five nations that have developed in-house 4G technology—the others being China, South Korea, Finland, and Sweden.

Scindia emphasized that this homegrown telecom stack not only supports domestic connectivity but also strengthens India’s ambitions to become a global telecom technology exporter.

“This aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of an indigenous telecom ecosystem. Post-June, we will extend this to 5G, enhancing India’s position in the global telecom market,” he said.

The indigenous stack offers a viable alternative to existing foreign telecom technologies, reducing India’s dependence on international vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia, and Huawei while bolstering national security and enhancing data sovereignty.

Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in the Works to Drive Domestic Production

To further accelerate domestic manufacturing and innovation, the government is exploring the creation of a Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ)—a dedicated economic hub similar to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The proposed TMZ will house testing and certification facilities, providing domestic telecom equipment manufacturers with a world-class ecosystem to scale up production and reduce reliance on imports.

“We are actively engaging with telecom manufacturers to make this happen. Partnerships will be key to the success of this initiative, and we are in discussions with anchor customers to ensure its viability,” Scindia added.

This initiative aligns with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions, ensuring India’s self-reliance in critical telecom infrastructure and fostering job creation in the sector.

Government’s Crackdown on Spam Calls and Telecom Fraud Gains Momentum

In addition to infrastructure development, the government is aggressively tackling spam calls and telecom fraud. With increasing incidents of cyber scams, AI-driven fraud, and financial theft via mobile networks, authorities have ramped up measures to safeguard consumers and businesses.

Scindia provided key updates on ongoing anti-fraud initiatives, including:

• Sanchar Saathi Portal Impact

  • 1.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected
  • 1.5 lakh WhatsApp groups involved in scams shut down

• Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU)

  • Established to monitor and counter telecom-based fraud

• I-Core Spoof Call Monitoring System

  • Currently blocking 1.3 crore spoof calls per day

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to protecting users from telecom-based cyber threats, while ensuring greater accountability among telecom operators and service providers.

BSNL’s 5G Rollout: A Milestone in India’s Digital Transformation

BSNL’s upcoming 5G transition represents a pivotal moment in India’s telecom sector, bringing high-speed connectivity, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. This shift will:

• Enhance India’s digital infrastructure for emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and smart cities
• Boost internet penetration in rural and remote areas, bridging the digital divide
• Support enterprise adoption of 5G, driving economic growth and industrial automation

With the government’s strong push for indigenous telecom solutions, BSNL’s 4G-to-5G upgrade is expected to reshape India’s telecommunications landscape, making it more self-reliant, secure, and globally competitive.