BSNL installs 50,708 4G sites; 41,957 sites on-air: MoS Communications

The supply of equipment for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL's) 4G rollout began in September last year, and by October-end this year 50,708 4G sites have been installed while 41,957 sites are on-air, Parliament was informed on Thursday. The equipment is 5G upgradable, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. To a question seeking specific timelines set for BSNL's 4G and 5G rollout across various states and Union Territories, the minister said that in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the state-owned telecom firm has placed a purchase order for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. "Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023, and as on October 31, 2024, a total of 50,708 4G sites have been installed and 41,957 sites are on air. The equipment is 5G upgradable," he said. To another question on whether BSNL-appointed Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has recommended strategies for the