**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development in response to Unstarred Question No. 2067 in Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, regarding the status of BSNL's 4G/5G rollout and network coverage. It provides updates on 4G equipment installation, village coverage, and the government's financial support to BSNL. The response details the progress of BSNL’s 4G rollout and associated village coverage as of December 31, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **4G Rollout Status:**
* BSNL has placed orders for one lakh indigenously developed 4G equipment for pan-India deployment, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
* The supply of 4G equipment began in September 2023, and as of January 15, 2026, 97,672 4G sites have been installed, with 95,511 sites being ON-Air.
* The installed equipment is 5G upgradable.
* **Network Coverage:**
* BSNL is installing 1 lakh 4G towers and continues to increase its number of towers based on techno-commercial viability.
* BSNL covers 4,35,070 villages out of a total of 6,41,525 villages across the country (as per the 2011 census).
* Annexure-I provides circle-wise details of BSNL's coverage.
* **Financial Support:**
* The government has approved three revival packages for BSNL/MTNL amounting to approximately ₹3.22 Lakh crores.
* These packages include capital infusion, debt restructuring, viability gap funding for rural telephony, and 4G/5G spectrum provision.
* **Financial Performance:**
* As a result of the revival packages, BSNL has started earning operating profits from F.Y. 2020-21.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: BSNL**
**Impact:**
* BSNL is able to modernize its network with indigenous 4G equipment and improve coverage.
* The financial revival packages enhance BSNL’s competitiveness and viability.
* BSNL can expand its tower infrastructure based on techno-commercial viability.
**Action Required:**
* Continue to install 4G equipment and expand network coverage.
* Leverage financial support to modernize and enhance services.
**Stakeholder: Government**
**Impact:**
* The government is facilitating indigenous telecom equipment manufacturing.
* The government is supporting the financial revival of BSNL.
* The government is improving rural telephony infrastructure.
**Action Required:**
* Continue to monitor BSNL's progress and provide necessary support.
* Ensure efficient allocation and utilization of revival package funds.
**Stakeholder: Citizens**
**Impact:**
* Improved access to 4G/5G services in covered villages.
* Potential improvement in the reliability and quality of telecom services.
* The number of villages connected through BSNL's cellular services is documented.
**Action Required:**
* Potentially, citizens in uncovered areas may need to advocate for network expansion.
* Monitor and report on the quality of BSNL services in their respective areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL): The primary subject of the policy, focusing on its 4G/5G rollout, network coverage, and financial viability.
4G/5G: The main technologies discussed in the context of BSNL's network rollout and coverage.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative: The initiative under which BSNL is procuring indigenous 4G equipment.
Ministry of Communications: The Government body responsible for overseeing BSNL and its telecom services.
MTNL: The other entity with BSNL for revival packages, focused on strengthening of BSNL.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2067
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2026
STATUS OF BSNL’S 4G/5G ROLLOUT AND NETWORK COVERAGE
2067. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of the 5G rollout by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the reasons
for the delay compared to other telecom service providers;
(b) the revised timelines for nationwide rollout of 4G and 5G services by BSNL and the extent
of coverage achieved so far;
(c) the percentage of BSNL’s overall network coverage under 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G across the
country, including circle-wise details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of delayed network modernisation on
BSNL’s subscriber base, revenues and market share and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the policy, financial and operational support measures being provided to enable
BSNL to remain a viable and competitive public sector telecom operator?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) In line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously
developed one lakh 4G equipment for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started
from September 2023 and as on 15.01.2026, total 97,672 4G sites have been installed and 95,511
sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective.
(b) Currently, BSNL is installing 1 lakh 4G towers and on further expansion, BSNL continues to
increase its number of towers as per techno-commercial viability.
(c) Out of total 6,41,525 villages (as per census 2011), BSNL is covering 4,35,070 villages across
the country. The Circle-wise details of BSNL’s coverage are attached at Annexure-I.
(d) & (e) With a view to strengthen BSNL/MTNL and to make them robust, competitive and
viable, Government has approved three revival packages to BSNL/MTNL amounting to approx. Rs.
3.22 Lakh crores. These packages cover capital infusion, debt restructuring, viability gap funding for
rural telephony, and the provision of 4G/5G spectrum, among other measures.
As a result of the revival packages given to BSNL, BSNL has started earning operating profits
from F.Y. 2020-21.
1Annexure-I of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2067 for 11.02.2026
Village Coverage of BSNL as on 31.12.2025
Sl. No. Circle Total villages No. of Villages covered with
BSNL’s cellular services
(census 2011)
1 Uttar Pradesh (East) 80,029 73,652
2 Madhya Pradesh 54,903 24,394
3 Odisha 51,313 26,018
4 Bihar 44,874 29,064
5 Rajasthan 44,672 26,111
6 Maharashtra 43,999 28,705
7 West Bengal 40,218 33,767
8 Jharkhand 32,394 19,673
9 Karnataka 29,340 17,894
10 Uttar Pradesh (West) 26,745 14,740
11 Assam 26,395 20,772
12 Himachal Pradesh 20,690 17,009
13 Chhattisgarh 20,125 14,186
14 Gujarat 18,309 10234
15 Andhra Pradesh 17,366 12848
16 Uttarakhand 16,793 13207
17 Tamilnadu 14,433 12,162
18 Punjab 12,592 12,087
19 Telangana 10,434 9,104
20 North East II 9,532 4,435
21 North East I 8,544 2,089
22 Haryana 6,841 4,332
23 Jammu & Kashmir 6,553 4,489
24 Chennai (TD) 1,636 1,635
25 Kerala 1,039 1,036
26 Kolkata (TD) 750 727
27 Andaman & Nicobar 555 372
28 Sikkim 451 328
Grand total 6,41,525 4,35,070
*****
2