BSNL to Launch 5G in Gujarat by December: 750 Solar Mobile Towers in Remote Areas

As the country progresses with 5G, some private companies have already started offering 5G services. Now, nearly 12-13 years after the launch of 4G in India, the state-run company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to launch 4G in Gujarat and other states. BSNL, which previously introduced 2G and 3G, is receiving praise on social media for its 4G launch. By the end of September, all 4G solar towers in Gujarat will be operational, and according to BSNL’s internal sources, 5G might be launched in Gujarat by December.

Installation of 750 4G Towers Underway in Gujarat

Currently, around 750 4G saturation towers are being installed in Gujarat, with 417 of them being installed in South Gujarat. A significant feature is that these towers are being set up in areas where no other telecom company has coverage, meaning that mobile networks from other companies have not been available in these regions until now.

BSNL’s 4G Saturation Project in Gujarat

BSNL has launched a 4G saturation project in Gujarat. The project began nationwide in 2022, with various sites identified for tower installation, including remote areas in South Gujarat. Many of these sites have completed the installation process, while work on others is still ongoing.

Reducing Dependency on Foreign Countries

For the first time, 4G towers in India have been built with the ‘Make in India’ concept, utilizing technology from indigenous companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tejas. This marks the first technology developed domestically that will be used in 4G towers. Previously, most telecom technology and related equipment, including machinery and spare parts, were imported from countries like China. However, now, everything from machinery to software will be domestically produced, reducing reliance on countries like China. Furthermore, India may begin exporting this technology and machinery to other countries.

Operating at 700 MHz B28 Band

BSNL’s previous 3G towers operated at a frequency of 2100 MHz, resulting in limited network coverage of about 500 meters. The new 4G towers will operate at 700 MHz, increasing tower strength to cover areas up to 3-4 kilometers and improving indoor coverage. Customers can check if their handsets support the B28 band to take advantage of the new 4G towers. BSNL is launching 4G on the 700/2100 MHz band, allowing even those with older handsets to use the service, though handsets with B28 will receive better coverage.

Towers to Run on Solar Power

The central government is prioritizing solar systems, and this is being integrated into technology gradually. BSNL’s new 4G towers will primarily run on solar power. Previously, mobile towers relied on electricity and diesel generators, which posed several challenges, including the need for staff to ensure supply continuity and higher diesel consumption leading to pollution. With solar-powered towers, reliance on electricity and diesel generators will reduce, benefiting the environment and increasing tower uptime to over 99%, reducing customer difficulties.

Significant Benefits for Remote Villages

Remote areas of Gujarat, particularly South Gujarat, have faced significant mobile network issues. In regions like Dang, mobile networks are still difficult to access. The reliance on electricity and diesel generators exacerbated these issues in remote areas. However, BSNL’s new solar-powered mobile towers will operate efficiently in these regions, marking the first nationwide attempt by the Indian government to introduce solar-powered mobile towers.

417 Solar Towers to Be Operational by March

The work on most of the 417 solar-powered mobile towers in South Gujarat will be completed by August. This will likely ensure network availability in remote areas. Existing BSNL mobile towers are expected to be converted to 4G by September. If successful, 5G could also be launched by December. BSNL currently has 1087 towers in South Gujarat, all of which will be converted, significantly boosting BSNL’s network strength in the coming days.

Significant Changes in Core Network

Previously, most core network machinery was imported from other countries, leaving a backdoor open. Now, core networks developed by TCS, Tejas, and C-DOT eliminate this vulnerability, strengthening national security and preventing tampering. The expansion of the core network is being achieved using indigenous technology, yielding excellent results.

Attempt to Provide Affordable Network Services

Sanjeev Singhvi, Senior General Manager of Surat Business Area, stated that BSNL is on the brink of a revolution in the telecom sector. The dream of advancing with new and indigenous technology is becoming a reality. Soon, sites across the country and in South Gujarat will be solar-based. BSNL is not only marking its presence but also ensuring good network quality using robust technology. The results will be visible in the coming days.

Surat Leads in BSNL SIM Card Sales Nationwide

BSNL is known for keeping its rates stable while other telecom companies periodically increase theirs. BSNL has decided not to raise prices for a year after the 4G launch. BSNL has also increased its core network strength from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps. Surprisingly, Surat leads the country in BSNL SIM card sales, with approximately 100,000 customers, setting a new record. Over 20,000 customers have ported from other companies to BSNL. BSNL aims to provide quality services at affordable rates, and currently offers plans much cheaper than other telecom companies.

Distribution of Solar Mobile Towers in South Gujarat

• Surat: 98
• Tapi: 112
• Dang: 58
• Valsad: 75
• Navsari: 22
• Bharuch: 22
• Narmada: 26
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli/Silvassa: 17