BSNL's indigenous 4G: Call drops, ‘switched off’ alerts frustrate users

Pathanamthitta: Subscribers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have reported increasing call drops and connectivity issues as the state-run telecom operator tests its indigenously developed 4G technology across India.

Even in Kerala, considered BSNL’s strongest telecom circle in the country, there is a growing shift of customers to private service providers amid persistent voice call disruptions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated BSNL’s indigenous 4G technology in September, highlighting it as a major milestone in India’s telecom self-reliance push. It had then announced plans for a fully equipped nationwide network.

However, the system launched was not entirely flawless. While 4G equipment has been installed on telecom towers and related infrastructure work completed, selected subscribers across the country are currently testing the network to identify operational shortcomings.

The indigenous 4G stack has been developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), in collaboration with Tejas Networks and Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

The primary grievance from BSNL customers relates to voice connectivity. Many users report hearing automated messages stating that the number dialled is switched off, even when the recipient’s phone is active. In some instances, callers hear a ringtone while the recipient’s phone does not ring at all.

Subscribers have also complained of one-way audio during calls, where one party is unable to hear the other. In certain areas with reportedly strong signal coverage, users say the network displays “out of range”.

Data services, however, are said to be functioning relatively smoothly compared with voice calls.

According to the latest report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), BSNL added 5.24 lakh new subscribers in September, followed by 2.69 lakh in October and 4.21 lakh in November.

However, the December data showed a net decline of 2.06 lakh subscribers, indicating a slowdown in new additions amid ongoing network transition challenges.