Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-owned telecom operator, has launched 4G services in the scenic Aru Valley, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Aru Valley now boasts high-speed 4G connectivity, marking a significant milestone for the region. BSNL has deployed indigenous radio access network (RAN) and core network technologies, making it the only telecom provider in India to utilize entirely homegrown 4G infrastructure. Notably, this technology is future-ready and can be upgraded to 5G with minimal additional costs.
While BSNL tests 5G Standalone (SA) technology, it is expected to initially offer 5G Non-Standalone (NSA), similar to Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi). Alongside the 4G rollout, BSNL has also introduced fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services in Aru Valley, ensuring residents and businesses have access to reliable, high-speed internet.
Arvind Pandey, Principal General Manager of Telecommunications, BSNL Kashmir, highlighted the significance of this achievement, calling it a long-cherished goal since his tenure began in 2023. This expansion has brought connectivity to remote and underserved regions, including Keran, Tangdar, Gurez, Aharbal, Naranag, Gurwatan, and more.
The initiative has been supported by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), as part of BSNL’s mission to extend high-speed connectivity to India’s remote areas. Additionally, BSNL is gearing up to test 5G SA in New Delhi. As BSNL also manages MTNL’s mobile operations, these tests in the capital will not fall under MTNL’s purview.
