Summary:
The Indian government has made BSNL’s revival and BharatNet’s rapid expansion top national priorities. BSNL is already operating profit, and the next target is full profitability, supported by strong revenue growth, rising ARPU, large-scale 4G deployment, and upcoming 5G upgrades. BharatNet Phase-3 is also delivering “world-class results” according to the Minister of State Communications.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is now central to the government’s telecom strategy, and officials have confirmed that reviving BSNL and expanding BharatNet are the two biggest focus areas. In simple terms, the government wants BSNL to move from operating profit to complete profitability, and early numbers show that the plan is progressing well.
In Q2 FY26, BSNL reported ₹5,347 crore revenue along with an ARPU of ₹92, indicating stronger customer monetization. The state-run operator has deployed 1,00,000 new 4G sites built with Indian technology, significantly upgrading its rural and urban coverage. The network is expected to be upgraded to 5G by next year, marking a major technological leap.
Minister of State Communications, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, emphasized that reviving BSNL is not just financial—it is about restoring trust in government-led telecom infrastructure. He stated that the progress so far has been strong, but the responsibility ahead is even greater.
The minister also highlighted the momentum of BharatNet Phase-3, India’s largest rural broadband program. After absorbing learnings from Phases 1 and 2, the latest phase is reportedly delivering “world-class results”, improving fiber reach and accelerating digital inclusion across villages.
