BSNL 5G Launch Date CONFIRMED? Media Reports Hint At THIS Date --Details You Want To Know

State-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has lately been in the spotlight for a host of reasons --starting from maintaining a status quo in recharge tariffs when all other major telcos have done so, advancements in its 4G network, increasing the broadband speed of several basic plans --to name a few. Now the latest reason for which the telcom operator has grabbed headlines again is on the expected launch date of BSNL 5G in India.

As per a report in the Hindu, BSNL is preparing to launch 5G by Sankranti in 2025. Hindu quoted L Srinu, Principal General Manager of BSNL Andhra Pradesh, in its report. It said that Srinu in a press conference told that BSNL is upgrading towers and other equipment so that 5G can be launched quickly. The 4G technology that BSNL is taking from TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) can be upgraded to 5G. Therefore BSNL will not have to spend much to launch 5G in India.

BSNL recently announced 4G and 5G compatible over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform which will enable subscribers to choose their mobile numbers as well as replace SIMs without geographical restrictions. 

BSNL will install 80,000 towers for 4G services by the end of October and the remaining 21,000 by March 2025, Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia earlier informed in August

In July all major telecom operators --Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio, Airtel --had announced hike in its recharge plans, effecting an industry-wide tariff hike. State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), however, has not increased its tariffs.

Telecom operator Vodafone Idea (VIL) had last month said it is witnessing a rise in subscribers port-outs to BSNL after recent tariff hikes and closely monitoring the situation. "One of the trends we have seen is that the port out to BSNL has generally risen from pre-tariff increase levels which is a space we are watching...And the reason for that is because they (BSNL) has not increased their tariffs so there is a fair amount of arbitrage," he said.