Scindia also claimed that several telecom customers are switching from private service providers to BSNL (Photo: ANI)
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday claimed that the number of subscribers for the government-run BSNL has increased, that its own 4G network is also ready and work is underway to convert to 5G.
The Communications Minister told reporters that under Atmanirbhar Bharat, a 4G network with indigenous technology is ready and its services will be available across the country within a few months through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
“Many people asked when Jio, Airtel and Vodafone rolled out 4G network, why not BSNL? It was the Prime Minister’s decision that if we have to develop a network from a government-run company, we will not use equipment from China or any other foreign country,” Scindia said.
It was decided that an indigenous technology would be developed, he said.
“PM Modi has decided under Atmanirbhar Bharat that India will develop its own 4G stack, core system or towers called Radiation Access Network (RAN). India will develop its technology and give 4G network to countrymen and it took us one and a half years. Bharat has become the fifth country to have its own indigenous technology,” the minister said.
He said that construction of the towers is in full swing.
Companies, including Indian companies like Tejas Network, C-DOT and TCS, were active in various areas and BSNL is in the process of implementing them, he said.
“We will install 80,000 towers by the end of October and the remaining 21,000 by March next year. That means 100,000 towers of the 4G network will be installed by March 2025,” he said.
It will help in downloading and watching TV faster, he said.
“We can use 5G on this 4G core. We will have to make some changes in the towers for 5G services, and that is currently being worked on. We will soon complete the journey from 4G to 5G,” he said.
Scindia also reported that several telecom customers are switching from private service providers to BSNL.
“We have assured them that our service will be prompt,” he said.
The minister arrived in Gwalior earlier in the day and offered prayers at a temple in neighbouring Morena.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: 03 Aug 2024 | 16:35 IST