New Delhi/Lucknow: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to launch 4G services across 6,659 sites out of nearly 9,000 across Uttar Pradesh starting this Saturday. This rollout coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unveiling of the indigenously developed ‘Swadeshi’ 4G stack, reinforcing the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
Uttar Pradesh: A Key Player in BSNL’s Nationwide 4G Expansion
Arun Kumar Garg, Chief General Manager (CGM) Telecom for BSNL UP East, highlighted the pivotal role Uttar Pradesh is playing in BSNL’s national 4G expansion and empowerment plans. “The state has become a focal point for the Central government’s 4G Saturation Project, aimed at providing reliable mobile connectivity to remote and underserved villages,” he said.
BSNL has successfully activated 4G networks at 6,659 sites spread across various districts of Uttar Pradesh, significantly enhancing digital access for millions of residents.
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Digital Bharat Nidhi’s Role and Progress
The Digital Bharat Nidhi has approved 142 sites for implementation in Uttar Pradesh as part of the 4G rollout. Out of these, 141 sites have been completed, with 97 in UP East and 44 in UP West. Work on the remaining one site is still in progress.
Strengthening Connectivity at Border Posts for National Security
In a strategic move to bolster national security, BSNL is enhancing 4G connectivity at remote Border Out Posts (BOPs) and Border Intelligence Posts (BIPs) along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh. The Digital Bharat Nidhi has sanctioned 68 sites for this purpose, all located at Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) posts.
Of these, 14 sites have been completed, and work is ongoing on eight more. However, the rollout at 46 sites located within reserved forest and wildlife areas is pending forest clearance.
Upgrading Connectivity in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas
Efforts are also underway to upgrade telecom services in the LWE-affected districts of Chandauli, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra by transitioning from 2G to 4G. A total of 78 sites are included in this upgrade plan, with 25 sites completed and work in progress at 53 sites.
Boosting Telecom Infrastructure Under ‘Swadeshi’ 4G Initiative
The nationwide rollout of BSNL’s ‘Swadeshi’ 4G stack, designed using indigenous technology, marks a significant step in reducing dependence on foreign telecom equipment. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of a secure, robust, and self-reliant digital infrastructure.
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