PM Modi inaugurates BSNLs fully indigenous 4G network from Odisha; India-made network is cloud-based
PM Modi commissions over 97,500 BSNL mobile towers across India, of which 92,600 are equipped with indigenous 4G technology
PTC Web Desk: In a major stride towards strengthening the Digital India mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) fully indigenous 4G network from Jharsuguda, Odisha. The rollout marks a significant advancement for India’s telecom sector and coincides with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations.
Government officials hailed the launch as a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities. “The swadeshi 4G network aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India and will pave the way for BSNL’s future 5G integration,” an official statement noted, adding that the service will cater to more than 20 lakh new subscribers.
Alongside the launch, PM Modi commissioned over 97,500 BSNL mobile towers across India, of which 92,600 are equipped with indigenous 4G technology. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 37,000 crore, the project underscores India’s growing capabilities in domestic telecom manufacturing.
Emphasising Odisha’s future growth, the Prime Minister announced that the state will also host two approved semiconductor units and a dedicated semiconductor park. “Odisha has faced decades of struggle, but this decade will lead it towards prosperity,” PM Modi said.
The India-made 4G network is cloud-based, designed for seamless upgrades to 5G, and is set to connect over 26,700 previously unserved villages, including 2,472 in Odisha. Many of these regions are remote, border areas, or affected by left-wing extremism. The expansion is expected to significantly enhance mobile access and digital participation across rural India.
A unique feature of the rollout is the establishment of the largest cluster of solar-powered telecom towers in the country, advancing sustainable infrastructure while extending connectivity.
Highlighting the impact of this initiative, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarked, “When connectivity reaches villages, only then do we truly connect them with the world.”
Additionally, PM Modi launched the Digital Bharat Nidhi project, which aims to achieve 100% 4G saturation by connecting nearly 30,000 villages in a mission-mode effort.