PM Modi launches BSNL’s swadeshi 4G network from Odisha, commissions 97,500 towers

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) indigenously developed 4G stack, placing India among a select group of nations that manufacture their own telecom equipment.

Marking the state-run operator’s silver jubilee, the Prime Minister also commissioned more than 97,500 mobile towers, including 92,600 4G sites, built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore using homegrown technology.

Officials said the cloud-based network is future-ready and can be seamlessly upgraded to 5G. Countries like Denmark, Sweden, South Korea and China are already in this space.

Earlier today, PM Modi shared an article highlighting how BSNL’s 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit. Responding to a post by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on X, Modi said the initiative embodies India’s journey “from dependence to confidence,” connecting over 92,000 sites and 22 million people. He added that the project is not only driving employment, exports and fiscal revival but also advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, BSNL has emerged as a beacon of Swadeshi spirit and a symbol of India’s rise as a global telecom leader with its indigenously developed 4G stack.

From empowering millions, including first-time digital citizens, to spurring local… pic.twitter.com/bsRilCWDZ2

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) September 27, 2025

The government said the rollout is a key step in the Digital India mission, aimed at bridging the digital divide, empowering rural areas and preparing BSNL for a 5G upgrade.

With this launch, over 26,700 unconnected villages—including 2,472 in Odisha—will come on the telecom map, benefitting more than 20 lakh new subscribers. Many of these areas are remote, border regions or affected by left-wing extremism.

The towers, powered by solar energy, form India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites, the government noted.

In addition, Modi unveiled the 100 per cent 4G saturation project through Digital Bharat Nidhi, covering about 29,000 to 30,000 villages under a mission-mode initiative.

*With PTI inputs