BSNL Set to Roll Out 5G in Delhi, Major Cities by September-End

With over 93,000 4G towers already active and plans to hit 1 lakh soon, BSNL aims to bridge the gap with private players in India's next-gen telecom race.


Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-run telecom operator, is preparing to enter the 5G race with the commercial rollout of its next-generation mobile services in Delhi and other key Indian cities by the end of September 2025. This long-anticipated move comes after extensive testing of its 5G technology across multiple state capitals, including Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal, Patna, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

The 5G rollout is being powered by BSNL’s robust and rapidly expanding 4G infrastructure. As of June 2025, the telco has successfully deployed more than 93,000 4G towers nationwide, with plans to scale up to 1 lakh sites in the coming months. These new 4G locations are being upgraded to support 5G capabilities, enabling BSNL to offer high-speed, low-latency connectivity comparable to its private-sector rivals—Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

BSNL’s foray into the 5G ecosystem is a significant milestone for India’s digital growth story. The telco had lagged behind private operators in deploying 4G and 5G, but this rollout is expected to level the playing field and improve telecom competition. By targeting both metros and emerging digital hubs, BSNL aims to democratize access to 5G, especially in underserved regions.

The government-backed operator is focusing on affordability, rural connectivity, and indigenous technology as it expands its telecom services. BSNL’s 5G launch also plays into the Centre’s broader Digital India vision, aimed at boosting digital inclusion, supporting smart cities, enabling IoT-based applications, and accelerating AI-driven innovations.

With this launch, BSNL is poised to make a comeback as a serious player in the Indian telecom landscape, offering both consumers and enterprises a new choice in high-speed, next-gen wireless connectivity.