PM Modi Launches BSNL’s Swadeshi 4G Network, Commissions 97,500 Towers in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) ‘Swadeshi’ 4G network from Jharsuguda, Odisha, marking a major milestone in India’s telecom sector. The launch coincided with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations, underscoring the government’s focus on indigenous technology in critical infrastructure.

As part of the rollout, PM Modi commissioned more than 97,500 mobile 4G towers, including 92,600 sites featuring the new 4G technology, built at an estimated cost of ₹37,000 crore. Using entirely Indian technology, the initiative positions India among a select group of nations with domestic telecom manufacturing capabilities.

Officials highlighted that the rollout will connect over 26,700 previously unconnected villages, including 2,472 in Odisha, many in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-affected areas. BSNL estimates that the expansion will benefit more than 20 lakh new subscribers, significantly enhancing digital participation and rural connectivity.

The new network is cloud-based, future-ready, and can seamlessly upgrade to 5G. Towers are solar-powered, forming India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development.

PM Modi emphasized Odisha’s potential, announcing plans for a semiconductor park and noting that the state’s resource-rich areas will benefit from increased digital access. Additionally, India’s 100% 4G saturation network was introduced through the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative, connecting up to 30,000 villages in a mission-mode project.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis lauded the development, stating that indigenous technology and village connectivity are key to integrating rural India with the global digital economy.

The BSNL Swadeshi 4G launch is a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide, empowering rural communities, and strengthening India’s position in global telecommunications.