BSNL, the state-owned telecom giant, has recently made significant strides in its network infrastructure, marking a key milestone with the launch of its 4G services. This advancement represents a crucial upgrade for BSNL, signaling the company's transition towards providing high-speed connectivity across India. The rollout is part of BSNL's broader strategy to enhance its telecommunications capabilities and prepare for the future of 5G.
As part of its network upgrade, BSNL has activated an additional 15,000 4G towers across the country. This expansion is a substantial step towards improving the company's coverage and service quality. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced that by the end of October, BSNL plans to deploy a total of 80,000 towers. Furthermore, an additional 21,000 towers are scheduled to be completed by March of the following year, bringing the total to 100,000 4G towers by March 2025. This ambitious plan highlights BSNL's commitment to enhancing its network infrastructure.
In addition to the 4G rollout, BSNL is also preparing to transition its infrastructure to support 5G services. Scindia emphasized that efforts are underway to adapt the existing 4G towers for 5G connectivity. The company is exploring the possibility of utilizing the current 4G core network for 5G services, which could accelerate the deployment of 5G technology. This transition is expected to position BSNL as a competitive player in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape.
In a major development, BSNL is set to commence live 5G trials in collaboration with India's telecom startups and companies. These trials are anticipated to start within the next one to three months and will focus on both public and private 5G networks, including private networks (CNPN). The trials will be conducted in several key locations across the country, including Connaught Place in Delhi, government offices and campuses in Bangalore, areas around Sanchar Bhawan and JNU campus in Delhi, IIT Delhi, parts of Chennai, India Habitat Centre, Gurgaon, IIT Hyderabad campus, and other selected areas. The trials will primarily utilize the 700 MHz band, which is available to BSNL.
The entry of BSNL into the 5G market is expected to intensify competition for existing telecom providers, such as Jio and Airtel. As the only suppliers of 5G services in India at present, Jio and Airtel will face increased pressure from BSNL's advancements. The introduction of BSNL's 5G services could potentially disrupt the market dynamics, leading to intensified competition and possibly affecting the customer base of the current 5G providers.
For those looking to upgrade to BSNL's 4G or 5G services, the process to order a SIM card online is straightforward. Follow these simple steps to place an order:
Visit the Website: Go to https://prune.co.in/.
Select 'Buy SIM Card': Click on the 'Buy SIM card' option and select India from the list of countries.
Choose Your Operator: Select BSNL as your telecom operator and choose your FRC (First Recharge Coupon) plan based on your needs.
Enter Required Details: Provide all the necessary details and enter the OTP (One Time Password) received on your mobile.
Add Address and Follow Instructions: Enter your address for delivery and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the order process.
Once ordered, the SIM card will be delivered to your doorstep within the next 90 minutes. The activation will be done on the spot, and the KYC (Know Your Customer) process will be completed at your location.
Currently, BSNL's online SIM ordering and activation services are available in select locations, including Haryana (Gurugram) and Uttar Pradesh (Ghaziabad). This availability will likely expand as BSNL continues to roll out its 4G and 5G services across more regions.
Conclusion
BSNL's recent upgrades and upcoming 5G trials signify a major leap forward for the state-owned telecom operator. The activation of additional 4G towers and the planned transition to 5G highlight BSNL's commitment to improving its network infrastructure and competing effectively in the telecommunications market. With the anticipated 5G trials and the easy online SIM ordering process, BSNL is positioning itself as a formidable player in the Indian telecom sector, poised to offer advanced connectivity solutions to its customers.