State-owned BSNL has confirmed it aims to roll out commercial 5G services in key cities by early 2026—following its upgrade of recently deployed indigenous 4G infrastructure
According to a senior official, the telco is “confident … in the next 6 months we will have 5G in Delhi.”
Telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that BSNL’s network of indigenously developed 4G towers will be upgraded to 5G “within the next six-eight months”.
Why This Matters: Big Picture
Indigenous Tech & Self-Reliance
BSNL’s 4G network uses home-grown technology developed via a domestic consortium led by Tejas Networks, C‑DoT and others. By building on this stack, BSNL can elevate to 5G more smoothly—reinforcing India’s strategic goal of telecom self-reliance.
Competition & Greener Field
Private players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have already launched 5G services and expanded widely. BSNL’s entry into the 5G arena could increase competition—especially in underserved markets.
Rural Reach & Digital Inclusion
With a focus on upgrading its 4G base, many of which are in rural or semi-urban areas, BSNL’s 5G rollout may help address the digital divide by delivering faster connectivity to more remote regions.
Key Facts You Should Know
- Target launch timeline: Early 2026 for selected cities, following the tender for new 4G sites in Delhi.
- 4G to 5G upgrade path: The current 4G infrastructure is designed to be 5G-upgradeable, reducing the need for entirely new hardware.
- Initial cities: Focus will likely be on metros like Delhi (and possibly Mumbai) before pan-India deployment.
- Tender model: BSNL floated a tender for 10,000 new 4G sites in Delhi under an Opex model, signalling its deployment strategy and readiness for 5G.
- Scale of deployment: India’s 5G base-station count already crosses 5 lakh; BSNL’s upgrade comes amid an expansive national rollout. Cashify
- Government backing: As a PSU operator, BSNL benefits from policy and funding support, aligning with India’s “Atmanirbhar” telecom push.
- Strategic timing: Rolling out 5G now helps BSNL attempt a comeback and regain relevance in a market dominated by private players.
Challenges & What to Watch
- Coverage density and quality: Launching in early 2026 means BSNL must rapidly scale network quality and 5G-ready infrastructure to match or exceed expectations.
- Competition from private players: Jio and Airtel have a head-start in 5G; BSNL must offer compelling service and pricing to attract users.
- Monetization & cost pressures: Deploying and operating 5G networks is capital-intensive—BSNL must ensure sustainable business model.
- User adoption & device readiness: Consumers need compatible 5G devices; uptake in rural segments may lag.
- Execution risk: Upgrading from 4G to 5G within the stated timeline hinges on smooth technology integration and vendor performance.
Outlook: What-Ifs & Strategic Implications
If BSNL successfully launches 5G in early 2026:
- It could reinforce its role as a national telecom infrastructure player and help the government leverage a public-sector operator for digital inclusion.
- Competition may force private telcos to further improve coverage, reduce tariffs or accelerate newer tech like 5G Advanced.
- Rural and underserved markets might see earlier access to advanced services (IoT, fixed wireless access, smart-city applications) via BSNL’s network.
If BSNL delays or rollout falters:
- It may further lag the private players, risking subscriber erosion or weaker brand perception.
- The investment advantage of being state-backed may not translate into market share gains without execution.
Conclusion
The BSNL 5G launch is a pivotal moment—for BSNL, for Indian telecom policy, and for the broader connectivity landscape. By targeting an early 2026 commercial rollout based on indigenous upgrades from its new 4G network, BSNL is making a calculated leap. While significant challenges remain, the move underscores India’s ambition to strengthen public-sector capabilities and expand next-generation connectivity more widely.
