Upcoming Launch of BSNL 4G Services in Patna Area

According to a report from The Hindustan Times, BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is preparing for the imminent launch of its 4G mobile service in Patna. Arbind Prasad, the Principal General Manager for the Patna telecom district, revealed that the launch is expected to take place before the end of this year. BSNL has already placed an advance purchase order for cutting-edge 4G mobile equipment from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and the installation process is projected to occur between September and October. Notably, the new 4G hardware is designed to be upgradable to 5G through software modifications.

Currently, only 16 small towns in Bihar have partial coverage under the 4G network. However, BSNL aims to extend the high-speed 4G network to all districts either by the end of this year or within the first quarter of the following year, depending on the availability of equipment. As part of this expansion, approximately 3,620 4G towers will be erected across the state, with around 900 towers allocated to Patna alone.

To improve internet connectivity for BSNL users, the company plans to erect 211 new towers in various locations throughout the capital city. The selection of these sites is currently in progress, and the 4G equipment will be installed on approximately 600 existing 3G towers. In Bihar (Jharkhand), BSNL has approximately 57.75 lakh mobile subscribers, although competitors such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea have larger customer bases in the region.

While the Union telecom minister announced plans to launch 5G services in 2023, officials indicate that delays in the procurement process for 4G equipment have made it unlikely for BSNL to meet the initial timeline for 5G implementation. Nevertheless, BSNL's 4G technology is domestically developed and can be easily upgraded to 5G through a simple software push when the need arises. This strategic move will assist BSNL in retaining subscribers and maintaining a substantial market share in the Indian telecom industry.