Introduction
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the government-run telecom company in India, plans to shake things up with its 4G rollout across the country.
While BSNL has fallen behind private rivals such as Jio and Airtel in setting up cutting-edge networks, the upcoming nationwide launch of 4G services in October 2024 promises to bring big changes. This blog will explore why this launch is a big deal how it affects customers, and the main factors behind this shift.
1. A Brief History of BSNL
BSNL was incorporated in the year 2000 under the Government of India with the main objective of deploying telecom services in India. BSNL has come a long way and in the initial it was one of the dominating entity in the telecom domain especially in the rural/semi urban regions. But the BSNL began heading for trouble with the initiation of the 4G services by the private players while it has been sticking to its 2G and 3G networks. to the time tvt l certificate nahin
Thus, BSNL has already wiped out its market share, which in 2024 was only 7%. 46%, losing 18 million customers in the past year. This steep drop the need of hour for BSNL to innovate and to come up with best strategies to survive in a market dominated by private players like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea who are already in 4G and are in trial with 5G.
2. Why BSNL’s 4G Launch is Crucial
Thus, 4G is not just an addition of a new technology stream in BSNL’s product portfolio but a necessity to survive in the fierce market competition. While other private players have transitioned to 5G, for BSNL to step into the 4G industry could mean that it will be able to recover lost market share.
Wider Coverage:
Currently, BSNL has deployed more than 25,000 4G sites across the country【8†source】. The next 4G services will provide improved network in areas that lack it such as in the rural and remote areas where the internet is much needed due to the increased focus on innovation.
Indigenous Technology
In contrast to many private telcos relying on imported technology, BSNL will be deploying an indigenously developed 4G stack that has been created by a consortium led by C-DoT and including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). It not only supports the ‘Make in India’ policy but also has a positive impact on the network’s long-term sustainability.
Restoring Customer Confidence:
As it transmutes to 4G, customer demands for high speed internet and enhanced mobile services will be addresses. It could also contribute towards averting more customer dilution.
3. BSNL’s Strategic 4G Implementation
These are some of the strategic strategies that BSNL has made to ensure the successful implementation of its 4G services.
Tower Installation:
BSNL currently offers pilot services on more than 25,000 towers. The company has targets to erect approximately one hundred and twenty thousand new towers to enhance both 4G as well as future 5G services.
SIM Dispatch
Looking at the next launch, the company has begun to distribute 4G SIMs to clients to facilitate easy and instant migration once the new network is activated.
Government Backing
BSNL has Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government to thank for helping fund its 4G dreams. Later in May 2023, BSNL signed a ₹15,000 crore contract with the Tata Group, which includes Tejas Networks and C-DoT to provide the required 4G equipments.
4. BSNL vs Private Competitors
The prospects of its own 4G rollout will come at a time when BSNL will be operating in a very competitive environment.
Jio & Airtel’s 5G Lead
While Jio and Airtel have already started the 5G rollouts, BSNL is still concentrating on providing 4G connectivity. This could be detrimental to BSNL or may be advantageous for BSNL to solely concentrate on the rural areas where 5G is not concentrated at the moment.
Pricing Strategy
It has been pretty popular about its affordable services and price strategies. Pricing will be an influential factor in gaining market share, especially in the price-sensitive segment dominated by Jio as it goes into the 4G market.
Indigenous Stack Advantage
While IT weakness has become apparent in BSNL, it has never-the-less other advantage that can help Company to cut-costs and that is dependence on the Indian technology. Also, the government policies and its guidelines will remain a force for BSNL’s growth as they provide some benefits unlike the private competitors.
5. How Will BSNL’s 4G Benefit Customers?
The launch of 4G services by BSNL will bring numerous benefits to its existing and new customers:The launch of 4G services by BSNL will bring numerous benefits to its existing and new customers:
High-Speed Internet
The next generation of the communication technology, which is 4G, offers much higher download and upload speeds and allows users to improve their experience of browsing, watching videos, and playing games on the internet.
Rural Connectivity
It is essential to understand that BSNL company has placed 4G towers in such a manner that even far-flung areas can get good coverage, and the restricted class of people do not suffer from slow mobile internet services.
Affordable Data Plans
Traditionally, BSNL adopted aggressive and sensible tariff policies in the market. The LTE rollout is expected to follow this pattern by providing cheap data offerings for millions of consumers.
Seamless Transition for Current Users
BSNL has already started dispatching 4G SIM cards thus making the existing users to easily upgrade to the new service.
6. Challenges in BSNL’s 4G Rollout
Despite the optimism surrounding the launch, BSNL faces several challenges:Despite the optimism surrounding the launch, BSNL faces several challenges:
Delayed Rollout
BSNL has been experiencing the inability to rollout 4G networks for several times due to several challenges concerning undesirable regulations as well as technical issues. This decision has somewhat delayed the process, but there are definite advantages to utilizing indigenous technology.
Competition from 5G
The private players are already aggressively promoting 5G while the BSNL delayed the 4G entry which may have a potential to shift its user base particularly in the urban areas.
Customer Retention
Meanwhile BSNL lost 18000000 customers in the year 2023 only【8†source】the company will have to go a long way maintaining customer satisfaction and halting chimr.
7. BSNL’s Future: 4G and Beyond
However, BSNL’s present 4G launch is critical, and the company is preparing for the further progress. BSNL is now ready to offer 5G services using the same home grown 4G technology stack once its 4G network becomes stable. This could potentially make BSNL the first telecom provider that has fully implemented an indigenous made 5G solution.
Conclusion
BSNL’s 4G launch in October 2024 is a significant landmark for the company and consequently is categorised as high impact. Migrating from the 2G/3G to the 4G platform will not only enable millions of users to enjoy enhanced Mobile Services.
but would also assist BSNL in regaining the lost ground in the Indian Telecom Sector especially when the country is heading towards the introduction of 5G Services.
The indigenous technology paired up with governmental support along with its vision to emphasise affordability and rural market can put BSNL back on track.
To customers and industry watchers, they can foresee that BSNL will be at the center of things as it undergoes this massive change. Will it be able to regain its market share or will the competition arising from the 5G network be too intense?