BSNL gets ₹61,000 crore worth 5G spectrum from Centre, begins network trials

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sanctioned 5G spectrum valued at ₹61,000 crore to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), bolstering the state-owned telecom operator's efforts to launch next-generation mobile services. According to a report published by the Economic Times, BSNL has secured access to premium 700MHz spectrum along with mid-band 3300MHz spectrum. These frequency bands are considered essential for robust and widespread 5G connectivity.

In preparation for a broader deployment, BSNL has reportedly initiated trial runs of its 5G network in select areas, including parts of New Delhi. Sources suggest that some of these trial towers are expected to be functional by June 2025.

BSNL is also advancing its 4G infrastructure nationwide. The company is in the process of installing over one lakh 4G towers, of which 80,000 are already live. These sites are expected to be upgraded to support 5G services in due course.

The telecom firm has begun its 5G rollout using the Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model. This strategy enables faster deployment and scalability. Meanwhile, Tidal Wave has established a private 5G network for Coal India on the 3500MHz band.

While private telecom giants like Airtel and Jio already provide 5G services across India, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has recently started rolling out 5G connectivity in major urban centres, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

BSNL has reportedly seen an increase in user subscriptions, following tariff hikes by private telecom providers since 2024. The public sector operator has managed to attract budget-conscious customers with its competitively priced recharge plans that offer higher data allowances. As its 4G and 5G networks expand, BSNL is expected to further strengthen its subscriber base.