Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched BSNL’s fully indigenous 4G network, marking a historic milestone that places India among the world’s top five nations with the capability to develop and deploy homegrown telecom technology. The announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of BSNL and represents a significant boost to the country’s communication infrastructure.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi also commissioned over 97,500 mobile 4G towers built using Swadeshi technology at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore. This includes more than 92,600 sites established by BSNL. Another 18,900 towers, funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi, will bring connectivity to approximately 26,700 unconnected villages in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-affected areas, benefiting over 20 lakh new subscribers. These solar-powered towers form India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites, marking a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure.
After the launch, while addressing a rally in Jharsuguda, Odisha, Prime Minister Modi hailed the launch of BSNL’s indigenous 4G mobile network, stating that it is thanks to BSNL that India is progressing toward becoming a global telecom manufacturing hub and announced that the Swadeshi 4G network begins today.
“India’s companies have got India a position among the top 5 countries of the world that have indigenous technology to start 4G services. It is because of BSNL that India is moving towards becoming a global telecom manufacturing hub. Swadeshi 4G network begins today from here, as part of which, 1 lakh 4G mobile towers have been set up across the country. Border districts and far-fetched villages, where high-speed internet and connectivity were an issue, will greatly benefit from this. Our soldiers will also be able to use safe indigenous services for connectivity,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi added that it is a matter of pride that BSNL has developed Swadeshi 4G technology.
“When 2G, 3G, and 4G services began in the telecom sector, India was way behind. We all know the kind of jokes that were going on social media. ‘2G, 3G, aur fir pata nahi kya kya likha jata tha.’.. We decided that this important technology of the telecom sector should be developed in India. It is a matter of pride for us that BSNL has developed a swadeshi 4G technology,” PM Modi said.
Amrit Bharat Express
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Amrit Bharat Express running between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), enhancing affordable and comfortable inter-state travel, promoting tourism, generating employment, and connecting important economic regions.
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