BSNL Expands 4G Network Across Rural Odisha with 1,665 Solar-Powered Towers
Indigenous technology drives digital inclusion under PM Modi’s Digital India vision
Bhubaneswar : In a major step toward bridging the digital divide in Odisha, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has successfully installed 1,665 telecom towers to provide mobile connectivity to 2,472 unconnected and remote villages across the state. All these towers are equipped with renewable solar energy systems, ensuring round-the-clock, eco-friendly operation even in areas with limited power supply.
Announcing the achievement during BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations, Dusmanta Kumar Behera, Chief General Manager of BSNL’s Odisha Circle, said the expansion marks a new phase in the state’s journey toward digital self-reliance. “The indigenous 4G network launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now reaching the remotest corners of Odisha, benefiting lakhs of residents who were previously cut off from mobile and internet access,” he said.
Behera highlighted that the 4G network, developed entirely through indigenous technology, is a product of collaboration between the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), Tejas Networks, and Tata Consultancy Services. “This network is a proud example of India’s technological capability. It is completely self-reliant and has software upgradable to 5G, ensuring a seamless transition to next-generation telecom infrastructure,” he added.
The newly deployed 4G services are already transforming communication in tribal and rural belts of Odisha, enabling better access to education, e-governance, digital banking, and telemedicine services. “With the rollout of BSNL’s 4G network, millions of people who have never experienced digital connectivity are now part of India’s growing digital ecosystem,” Behera said.
Under the government’s Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative, BSNL is establishing 14,180 new 4G sites nationwide, including those in Odisha. These sites will provide mobile connectivity to over 20 lakh households in 26,707 remote villages, empowering rural communities through access to digital services.
Behera described the rollout as a transformative milestone aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision. “The indigenous 4G network will bridge the digital divide, empower rural households, and lay the foundation for BSNL’s 5G upgrade and integration in the near future,” he noted.
One of the key highlights of BSNL’s Odisha initiative is the use of solar-powered telecom towers. Each newly installed tower is equipped with a green renewable energy system, enabling self-sustained operations in power-deficient and forested regions. The model has positioned BSNL as a pioneer in sustainable telecom infrastructure, contributing to India’s broader clean energy goals.
“By combining digital inclusion with renewable energy, BSNL is ensuring that development reaches every corner of the state without compromising environmental integrity,” Behera said.
Apart from mobile services, BSNL is expanding Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity under the BharatNet programme, extending high-speed internet access to gram panchayats, schools, hospitals, and rural households. The enhanced BharatNet Phase-II under DBN aims to cover all 6,798 gram panchayats in Odisha, transforming them into digital hubs.
The project will facilitate seamless access to government welfare schemes, online education, telehealth, and digital payment systems—bringing the benefits of technology to people at the grassroots level.
Principal Secretary of Electronics and Information Technology, Vishal Kumar Dev, commended BSNL’s role in expanding rural connectivity, calling it a critical enabler for Odisha’s inclusive growth. “Digital access is no longer a privilege; it is a necessity. With BSNL’s network expansion, even the most remote communities in the state are being connected to opportunities,” he said.
Additional Director General of Telecom, Odisha, Murali Krishna, and Controller of Communication Accounts, K. Vinod, also attended the event, expressing confidence that the initiative would accelerate the realization of Digital Odisha.
As Odisha accelerates toward a more connected and technologically empowered future, BSNL’s indigenous, solar-powered 4G network stands as a testament to India’s digital innovation—strengthening the foundation for sustainable development and inclusive growth across the state.
