PM Modi Launches BSNL’s ‘Swadeshi’ 4G from Odisha
Indigenous telecom rollout to connect over 26,700 villages, including 2,472 in Odisha; Semiconductor park also announced for the state
Bhubaneswar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) ‘Swadeshi’ 4G network from Jharsuguda, Odisha, marking a milestone in India’s march toward digital self-reliance. The launch coincided with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations, highlighting the government’s emphasis on indigenous technology and its potential to transform connectivity in rural and remote parts of the country.
Officials described the launch as a historic step toward Digital India, with the Prime Minister underscoring how the new network will help bridge the digital divide. “The rollout of the ‘swadeshi’ 4G network is a transformative step in line with the vision of Digital India, empowering rural communities, while paving the way for BSNL’s 5G upgrade and integration. This will serve over 20 lakh new subscribers,” said an official statement.
Boost for Odisha’s development
From Jharsuguda, Modi reassured the people of Odisha that the coming decade would be decisive for the state’s growth. Calling Odisha “immensely gifted by nature,” he said the state had endured decades of neglect but would now witness prosperity driven by industrial and digital expansion.
“The Central government has recently approved two semiconductor units for Odisha. A semiconductor park will also be constructed in the state. This decade will take Odisha toward prosperity,” Modi said.
The announcement was received as a major boost to Odisha’s ambitions of diversifying its industrial base beyond minerals and metals. The planned semiconductor park is expected to generate high-skilled jobs and position the state as a hub for advanced technology manufacturing.
Expanding rural connectivity
Alongside the launch, Modi commissioned more than 97,500 mobile 4G towers built by BSNL, of which 92,600 feature the new 4G technology. Built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore, these towers are based entirely on indigenous technology—placing India among a select group of countries with domestic telecom manufacturing capacity.
A key feature of the expansion is its reach to unconnected and underserved regions. The project is set to bring network access to 26,700 previously unconnected villages, including 2,472 in Odisha. Many of these villages lie in remote, border, or left-wing extremism-affected areas, where connectivity has long been a challenge.
“The India-made network is cloud-based, future-ready, and can seamlessly upgrade to 5G,” said a BSNL official. By ensuring scalability, the system is designed to support India’s long-term digital goals while providing immediate benefits for millions of rural residents.
Green telecom push
The rollout also prioritises sustainability through the use of solar-powered towers, creating the country’s largest cluster of green telecom sites. This approach not only reduces the carbon footprint but also ensures uninterrupted services in areas with limited power infrastructure.
Officials noted that this innovation would play a vital role in making rural connectivity more resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
A step toward inclusive growth
The Prime Minister also launched India’s 100 per cent 4G saturation initiative through the Digital Bharat Nidhi project, which aims to connect between 29,000 and 30,000 villages in mission mode. For Odisha, this means extending digital participation to communities previously excluded from mainstream communication networks.
Connectivity, officials argued, is not just about mobile access but also about enabling education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and e-governance. By providing rural citizens with reliable network coverage, the government hopes to unlock new economic and social opportunities.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, commenting on the rollout, emphasised its transformative potential. “Under PM Modi’s leadership, we have developed pure indigenous technology. When connectivity reaches villages, only then do we connect them with the world,” he said.
Odisha at the heart of digital transformation
For Odisha, hosting the launch of BSNL’s swadeshi 4G network reinforces the state’s rising importance in India’s digital roadmap. From Jharsuguda, Modi not only flagged off a nationwide telecom revolution but also assured the people of Odisha that the state would play a pivotal role in India’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy.
The twin announcements—unveiling the indigenous 4G rollout and declaring plans for a semiconductor park—signal a shift in Odisha’s development story. They reflect a vision where infrastructure, technology, and sustainability converge to create inclusive growth for both the state and the nation.
As BSNL’s 4G towers light up villages from coastal Odisha to its hilly interiors, the initiative promises to reduce the digital divide, empower rural communities, and strengthen the foundation for a future-ready Odisha.
