NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 26: In a landmark moment for India’s digital transformation journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) fully indigenous 4G technology stack on September 27 in Jharsuguda, Odisha, a milestone that propels India into the elite league of nations such as Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China that design, develop, and manufacture their own telecom equipment. The launch marks a transformative leap in India’s telecom capabilities, signaling not just technological self-reliance but also a strategic shift towards becoming a global hub for telecom innovation and manufacturing.
Announcing the development, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia described it as “the dawn of a new era for the telecom sector,” adding that the initiative is a testament to India’s growing capacity for indigenous innovation under the vision of the Prime Minister. As part of this mission, over 97,500 mobile 4G towers will be commissioned by the Prime Minister during the event, significantly expanding connectivity across the nation. Of these, more than 92,600 mobile sites installed by BSNL are based on homegrown 4G technology that is fully 5G-upgradable, making the rollout both future-ready and globally competitive.
The new ‘Swadeshi’ 4G stack is a complete indigenous solution that integrates a Radio Access Network (RAN) developed by Tejas Networks, a core network designed by C-DOT, and overall system integration by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). This ecosystem represents a powerful example of collaborative innovation in India’s technology landscape, combining the strengths of public sector research and private sector expertise to deliver a robust and scalable telecom solution.
Beyond BSNL’s rollout, the expansion of India’s telecom infrastructure is being further supported by the installation of over 4,700 4G towers by private players Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, as well as 14,180 towers under the government’s ambitious ‘Saturation Project’ funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi. Together, these initiatives aim to connect 26,700 previously unconnected villages, including those in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-affected regions. This expansion is expected to transform the socio-economic fabric of rural India, enabling over two million new subscribers to access e-governance services, digital payments, online education, telemedicine, and other citizen-centric applications.
Scindia highlighted that the India-made 4G network is cloud-based, secure, and scalable, capable of being upgraded to 5G with minimal intervention. “This is a major milestone, India is now the fifth country in the world to indigenously develop and manufacture telecom equipment,” he said. “This shift in ambition and capability has been driven and catalyzed by the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant and technologically empowered India.” He added that the transition to 5G would follow soon, building on the robust foundation laid by the indigenous 4G network.
Currently, BSNL’s 4G infrastructure, including thousands of towers and Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), is already serving over 22 million customers across India. The Prime Minister is also expected to announce the successful completion of India’s 100% 4G saturation network, a mission-mode initiative that has connected nearly 30,000 villages under the Digital Bharat Nidhi project, bringing broadband connectivity to the most underserved corners of the nation.
“This is more than just a technological upgrade,” Scindia said. “It’s a moment of transformation. Until now, India has been recognized globally as the world’s largest telecom market, serving over 1.2 billion subscribers with the lowest call and data rates — just 11 cents per GB. But from tomorrow, the world will also recognize India as a manufacturer and equipment provider with a complete indigenous 4G stack.”
The launch of BSNL’s homegrown 4G technology stack marks a pivotal step in India’s journey toward digital sovereignty. It is expected to not only strengthen domestic telecom infrastructure but also position the country as a serious player in the global telecom equipment market. With the rollout of future-ready networks and a focus on rural connectivity, the initiative reflects a broader vision,one where India is not just a consumer of global technology but a creator and exporter of it, driving the digital transformation of its economy from the grassroots to the global stage.