Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported a total revenue of ₹17,705 crore for the first nine months of the current financial year (FY26), ending December 31, 2025.
This reflects a 13% increase compared to the same period last year, signalling a significant turnaround for the state-run telecom giant as it rolls out its indigenous 4G network.
Key Financial Performance (9M FY26)
The company has seen a sharp improvement in its core operating metrics, driven by better monetization and network expansion.
- EBITDA Surge: BSNL’s core operating profit (EBITDA) more than doubled, rising 105% year-on-year to reach ₹4,858 crore.
- ARPU Growth: The Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) improved from ₹81 in Q1 FY26 to ₹91 by the end of Q2, and reportedly touched ₹99 in some circles by Q3.
- Full-Year Target: The Centre has set an ambitious revenue target of ₹27,500 crore for the full fiscal year (FY26), requiring a strong performance in the final March quarter.
Infrastructure & Subscriber Milestone
The financial revival is closely linked to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” 4G rollout, executed by a TCS-led consortium.
- 4G Rollout: As of January 15, 2026, BSNL has installed 97,672 4G sites, with over 95,500 already “on-air.” The company plans to add another 22,000 to 30,000 sites through FY27.
- Subscriber Turnaround: After years of decline, BSNL’s subscriber base grew from 8.86 crore in March 2024 to 9.28 crore by December 2025.
- 5G Readiness: The minister confirmed that the current 4G equipment is “5G upgradable.” Commercial 5G services are expected to begin pilots in major metros like Delhi and Mumbai shortly, using a completely homegrown technology stack.
New Service Verticals
To diversify its revenue streams beyond traditional mobile services, BSNL has recently launched several high-tech offerings:
- VoWi-Fi: Nationwide launch of Voice over Wi-Fi to improve indoor calling.
- 5G FWA: Pilot launches of “Quantum 5G FWA,” a SIM-less solution for fiber-like speeds.
- Direct-to-Device (D2D): Collaborating on satellite-to-mobile connectivity to eliminate “dead zones” in remote areas.
“These numbers indicate that BSNL is now generating healthy cash flows and is firmly on the path of financial revival.” — Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister for Communications.
