Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a government-owned telecommunications operator, has long been striving to introduce 4G services. However, various issues, including government intervention and insistence on deploying 4G using indigenous equipment, have hindered BSNL’s efforts to implement and commercially launch 4G. While 4G may be operational in some areas, foreign vendors’ equipment and core systems are in use at these locations. Despite periodic reports suggesting imminent 4G launches and announcements from esteemed government officials, BSNL has struggled to deliver on these promises.
In the current market scenario, private telecom companies dominate the majority of the market share. BSNL has lost customers to these private operators due to inadequate coverage and slower network speeds. Deploying 4G, although already delayed, remains a significant challenge for BSNL, compounded by unresolved network core issues at C-DoT (Centre for Development of Telematics).
BSNL is already lagging behind by several years in deploying 4G. It will likely take more than a year for the company to roll out 4G to 100,000 sites and further expand to ensure comprehensive coverage. While the demand for 5G is not yet pronounced, 4G customers have already established loyalty with private operators who are also offering 5G services.
Reclaiming market share under these circumstances poses a formidable challenge for BSNL. The company possesses extensive fiber assets nationwide and holds significant potential for growth in the FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) segment. If resources are limited, prioritizing FTTH could be essential for BSNL, especially with emerging smaller players vying for market share.
In the mobile services sector, BSNL faces significant hurdles and lacks sufficient funds or resources to compete effectively with private telcos. Even if BSNL were to provide nationwide 4G coverage by 2026-2027, it may not yield significant changes. While the state-run telco has the potential for resurgence, the current ground reality suggests that BSNL may struggle to catch up if conditions remain unchanged.
