Summary:
Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said BSNL’s revival has emerged as one of the most significant public sector transformations in recent years, driven by infrastructure modernisation and structured reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He highlighted major improvements in BSNL’s financial performance, operational efficiency, and rural connectivity expansion, including the rollout of indigenous 4G technology across one lakh towers and upgrades to ageing telecom infrastructure. Pemmasani noted that the government is also accelerating BharatNet and rural telecom initiatives to connect remote villages, strengthen digital inclusion, and support the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani stated that the revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited stands among the most notable public sector transformations in recent years, driven by infrastructure upgrades and systematic reforms under the leadership of Narendra Modi. In an interview with DD India, the Minister described the turnaround as both demanding and rewarding, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Communications on May 25, 2026.
The Minister explained that longstanding challenges related to work culture, ageing telecom towers, and obsolete infrastructure were addressed through a structured and performance-driven strategy inspired by private-sector operational discipline. He noted that these reforms have led to visible improvements in BSNL’s financial and operational performance, including stronger revenues, indigenous technology deployment, and expanded connectivity in remote regions.
According to Pemmasani, BSNL’s revenue increased from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore within two years, while EBITDA rose sharply from Rs 50 crore to nearly Rs 7,000 crore, reflecting significant gains in efficiency.
Discussing operational improvements, he said focused interventions were implemented across different telecom circles. In states such as Andhra Pradesh, tower uptime, which previously stood at around 75 per cent, was improved by replacing nearly 50,000 batteries, upgrading power systems, and modernising ageing cable infrastructure. Regular monitoring, accountability measures, and state-level performance targets were also introduced to improve enterprise business and subscriber growth.
A key achievement in BSNL’s recovery has been the rollout of indigenous 4G technology across one lakh telecom towers within a year. Pemmasani stated that the domestically developed network has now reached near-global standards, making India one of the few countries capable of building advanced indigenous telecom technology.
On restoring customer confidence, the Minister acknowledged that rebuilding trust would take time. He highlighted BSNL’s lower tariff plans compared to private telecom operators and initiatives such as distributing Re 1 SIM cards through India Post offices to encourage users to experience BSNL services. Postal workers are also helping raise awareness about improved telecom services in rural areas where BSNL often remains the primary connectivity provider.
Addressing rural connectivity, Pemmasani said nearly 35,000 villages had previously remained underserved due to geographical, financial, or security-related challenges. He noted that around 25,000 telecom towers have already been installed in these areas, while another 10,000 are currently under development as part of the government’s efforts to connect every village.
The Minister also highlighted the role of telecom infrastructure in improving security and development in sensitive regions such as Narayanpur, where improved connectivity has strengthened communication with authorities and supported efforts against left-wing extremism.
Speaking about the BharatNet programme, Pemmasani described it as a major pillar of India’s rural digital infrastructure strategy. He said the government is investing nearly Rs 1.4 lakh crore to provide high-speed fibre connectivity to every Gram Panchayat while addressing shortcomings identified in earlier phases of the project. The initial target is to connect 1.5 crore rural households, compared to the current base of around 15 lakh connected homes. He added that local entrepreneurs are also being encouraged to improve last-mile broadband delivery.
Emphasising the larger national vision, the Minister stated that telecom infrastructure forms a central part of Prime Minister Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, adding that the effort is not only about building networks but also about transforming the culture and mindset of public institutions. He concluded by describing BSNL’s future direction in three words: trustworthy, proud, and profitable.
