BSNL, NRL Sign Landmark MoU to Deploy India’s First 5G CNPN in Refinery Sector
Guwahati, August 3: In a significant move to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in India, state-run telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector.
The agreement was inked during the “Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs” held under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance in Guwahati, with participation from senior officials including the Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), CMD NRL, MD NRL, Director (Enterprise Business) BSNL, MD AMTRON, and representatives from other Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
The collaboration aims to leverage indigenous 5G infrastructure for high-speed, ultra-reliable, and secure industrial connectivity, marking a key milestone in India’s journey towards digital transformation and industrial modernization. As part of the agreement, BSNL will deploy a dedicated 5G CNPN at NRL’s refinery complex to support mission-critical operations and next-generation applications like Digital Twins, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR/MR) based training, AI-enabled 3D printing, real-time IoT solutions, and Big Data Analytics.
The Secretary, DPE, lauded the initiative as a “Whole of Government” (WoG) effort that aligns with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He emphasized its potential to modernize India’s industrial ecosystem, upskill the workforce, and drive employment—particularly in the North Eastern Region.
CMD NRL said the partnership is a “game-changing moment” for the refinery sector. “5G CNPN integration will significantly enhance operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and enable real-time digital innovation on the refinery floor,” he noted.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director A. Robert J. Ravi described the initiative as a “technological leap forward” for core sectors. “This deployment reflects BSNL’s commitment to empowering India’s strategic industries with next-generation digital infrastructure,” he said, adding that BSNL, as a trusted public telecom provider, will continue supporting India’s path to becoming a digitally intelligent nation.
Director (Enterprise Business), BSNL, called the MoU a historic milestone in India’s industrial digitization. He reiterated BSNL’s role in offering secure, future-ready communications infrastructure to CPSEs and enterprises across sectors.
The MoU is expected to serve as a replicable model for other industrial sectors, reinforcing the Government of India’s broader push for a digitally empowered and self-reliant economy.
