BSNL Revival Drives Revenue Growth And Indigenous 4G Rollout

29 May 2026 CW Team

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has recorded a marked financial turnaround, according to the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. Revenue rose from Rs 210 bn to Rs 250 bn in two years, a rise of 20–25 per cent that reflected operational recovery. The minister attributed the improvement to reforms in work culture and rectification of ageing infrastructure.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, or EBITDA, climbed from Rs 500 mn to nearly Rs 70 bn, signalling a path to profitability. Targeted measures at circle and state levels, systematic monitoring and private?sector discipline were cited as key drivers. Tower uptime, previously 75 per cent in some states, was addressed with a 95 per cent target and by replacing 50,000 batteries and upgrading power plants and ageing cables.

An indigenous 4G rollout was completed on 100,000 towers within a year and officials said the technology reached near?global standards. The ministry highlighted lower tariffs than private competitors and distribution of SIM cards priced at Rs one through India Post to encourage trials and doorstep awareness in rural areas. Outreach via postal workers was described as central to rebuilding public trust and encouraging uptake.

Connectivity efforts have focused on areas affected by difficult terrain and left?wing extremism, with about 35,000 villages previously lacking service and roughly 25,000 towers installed with another 10,000 in progress. The ministry linked improved connectivity to enhanced security and reduced extremism by enabling faster contact with police and authorities. The BharatNet project is being executed with increased accountability and an investment of nearly Rs 1.4 tn to provide high?speed fibre to every Gram Panchayat, with 1.5 mn rural households currently connected and a short?term target of 15 mn households.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Jul 2026

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