After months of anticipation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has officially confirmed the rollout of its 5G services. During the launch of the new BSNL logo and 7 new indigenous services, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia revealed that BSNL is all set to start its 5G rollout in 2025. Scindia revealed that BSNL successfully completed the testing of its 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network on 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz frequency bands, to launch the next generation connectivity in India.

According to the PIB report, Scanidania further said that the telco plans to install 1,00,000 BSNL 4G sites by mid-2025, many of which will eventually be upgraded to 5G as part of a phased rollout plan. According to the report, BSNL’s 5G trials included collaboration with the Center for Development of Telematics and local manufacturers to test indigenous devices and solutions. The trials have proven successful, and BSNL is now moving ahead with its plans to deploy 5G, potentially offering faster speeds and better connectivity.

Meanwhile, apart from confirming the upcoming 5G launch, BSNL also introduced seven new services aimed at enhancing security, affordability and reliability for its users across the country. These services are in line with BSNL’s efforts to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

BSNL’s new services include:

1. Spam-Free Network: BSNL has released a new spam-blocking feature that aims to provide a secure communication experience for its users by automatically filtering phishing attempts and malicious SMS. The service is said to be focused on improving network security without requiring users to manually report or block suspicious messages.
2. National Wi-Fi Roaming: BSNL has also announced its new Wi-Fi roaming service that will allow fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) customers to access BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots without any additional cost. The service is designed to reduce data usage while maintaining high-speed Internet connectivity.
3. BSNL IFTV (Intranet Fiber TV): The telco has also announced BSNL’s IFTV service that will provide users with over 500 live TV channels through its fiber network. FTTH customers will be able to use this service without using their data pack.
4. Anytime SIM Kiosk: BSNL is also launching automated SIM kiosks that will allow users to buy, upgrade or change SIM cards 24/7. These kiosks will support UPI/QR-based payments and are integrated with multilingual KYC.
5. Direct-to-Device Connectivity: BSNL has also introduced India’s first Direct-to-Device (D2D) solution that merges satellite and terrestrial mobile networks to provide seamless connectivity. BSNL says the service will be especially useful in remote or disaster-stricken areas where traditional networks often fail or are unavailable.
6. Disaster Relief Network: BSNL has also announced to enhance its disaster response capabilities with a scalable, secure communication network for government agencies. The telco says this network will remain operational during emergencies, with drones and balloon-based systems being used to expand coverage if needed.
7. Private 5G for mining operations: In collaboration with C-DAC, BSNL has introduced 5G connectivity specifically for the mining sector. This low-latency, high-speed network will enable advanced AI and IoT applications in mines, including safety monitoring and real-time remote operations for users.