By Kavita Mistry 
In a significant step towards India’s digital transformation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has successfully completed its 5G pilot project, paving the way for a nationwide rollout. Confirming the development, Vivek Dua, Principal General Manager (CDN), BSNL, stated that the telco’s 4G network is fully upgradable to 5G and trials are already underway in the field. “Very soon, we’ll be rolling out our 5G services,” Dua told ANI.
This announcement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of India’s fully indigenous 4G stack and 1 lakh BSNL towers from Jharsuguda, Odisha, on September 27 — a move that underscored India’s growing technological self-reliance.
Government Push and Technological Synergy
Dua praised the government’s progressive policies, particularly in the space and telecom sectors, which he said will enable satellite communications (satcom) across India. He added that a powerful combination of satellite, fibre, and radio networks will help bridge connectivity gaps in India’s geographically diverse regions.
“The initiatives taken by the government are unlocking the entire space sector. Investments from international partners will further accelerate India’s progress,” he said.
BSNL’s Reforms and Customer-Centric Approach
The BSNL executive also highlighted the operator’s internal reforms and modernization efforts, backed by substantial government investments over the last three years. He emphasized that BSNL’s management is focused on delivering customer delight, noting a significant improvement in customer satisfaction and service quality in the past year.
“The government has invested heavily, and BSNL’s management is making parallel efforts to enhance user experience,” Dua added.
Bridging India’s Digital Divide
Dua also drew attention to the BharatNet program, which aims for 100% connectivity saturation in rural India. He said the current level of investment is adequate to ensure full-scale urban and rural digital inclusion. Looking ahead, he emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be central to BSNL’s journey from 5G to 6G, ensuring smarter networks and faster, more adaptive services.