PM to Launch Swadeshi 4G (5G-Ready) Network, 98000 Towers to Boost Digital Bharat
Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia speaks to the media in New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi, September 27: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, announced on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday launch two landmark telecom initiatives: the rollout of nearly 98,000 mobile 4G towers nationwide and the unveiling of BSNL’s indigenously developed 4G (5G-ready) network.
Calling it a “historic step towards Viksit Bharat,” Scindia said the swadeshi 4G stack is fully software-driven, cloud-based, and seamlessly upgradable to 5G. It integrates the C-DoT core network, Tejas Networks’ Radio Access Network (RAN), and TCS’s system integration, and is already serving 22 million BSNL customers across India.
The Minister underscored the impact on everyday life: students in Bihar will gain access to world-class online education; farmers in Punjab will get real-time mandi updates; soldiers in Kashmir will stay connected with families; and entrepreneurs in the Northeast will access global markets and expertise.
Scindia also highlighted the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) programme, under which 29,000 villages have been connected as part of the 4G saturation project. The launch comes ahead of BSNL’s silver jubilee, marking 25 years of service to the nation.
Telecom Secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal traced India’s journey from scepticism to success in building an indigenous 4G stack. He emphasized that youth innovation, industry collaboration, and real-time monitoring have made India not only self-reliant in telecom but also a potential exporter of technology worldwide.
With these initiatives, India joins the ranks of top global telecom equipment manufacturers while ensuring digital inclusion for 1.2 billion citizens. The Prime Minister’s launch will mark a defining moment in India’s telecom journey—an achievement that embodies the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”).
