BSNL Seeks ₹75,000 Crore for Network Expansion and 5G Rollout

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is planning to seek ₹75,000 crore from the Finance Ministry to expand its mobile network, accelerate 5G deployment and improve connectivity nationwide. The proposed funding would be separate from the regular Union Budget allocation and is expected to strengthen infrastructure, enhance service quality and help the company achieve operational breakeven.

According to a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) official, BSNL requires at least 3.5 lakh 4G towers to improve network coverage. The company has already installed around one lakh towers, ordered another 25,000 and plans to add 50,000 more. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had also indicated plans to install an additional 50,000–60,000 towers.

BSNL has received three major revival packages worth a combined ₹3.29 lakh crore, approved in 2019, 2022 and 2023. The government also sanctioned ₹6,982 crore in additional capital expenditure support in 2025 to accelerate 4G expansion.

The financial assistance has begun showing results. BSNL recorded profits for two consecutive quarters, while its operating revenue rose 10% year-on-year to ₹4,418 crore in the first quarter of FY 2026–27. Enterprise revenue increased 19.2% to ₹1,745 crore, while consumer mobility revenue grew 8% to ₹1,724 crore.

Separately, BSNL and Vodafone Idea are discussing the expansion of the latter’s access to BSNL’s tower infrastructure for 4G and 5G services. As of April 2026, Vodafone Idea had leased around 1,441 BSNL towers, with talks underway to increase the number further.