PM launches BSNL's fully India-made 4G infra stack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched state telecoms giant BSNL's homegrown 4G technology stack, catapulting India into an exclusive group of five nations capable of manufacturing and deploying their own telecom equipment.

- HT Correspondents

Speaking at an event in Odisha to mark the state-run telecom operator's 25th anniversary, Modi commissioned over 97,500 mobile towers, including 92,600 4G technology sites of the telecom service provider. The infrastructure, built with indigenous technology at a cost of ₹37,000 crore, represents India's boldest step towards telecom self-reliance.

"For decades, India depended on foreign players for 2G, 3G, and 4G. Congress mocked us while the world moved ahead. But today, BSNL has scripted history by developing 4G technology indigenously," Modi said. "Odisha has the honour of being at the heart of this rollout."

In a separate post on X, the Prime Minister emphasised the scale: "With over 92,000 sites connecting 22 million Indians, it reflects India's journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat."