BSNL has reportedly received approval to deploy 26,000 additional 4G towers, taking its planned network expansion beyond the approximately one lakh 4G sites already deployed. The bigger development for subscribers could be its discussions with Vodafone Idea (Vi) to extend their inter-circle roaming arrangement to more telecom circles.
The two developments could help BSNL and Vi improve mobile connectivity in areas where their individual networks have limited reach. However, the proposed roaming expansion is still at the planning stage, and the locations and deployment timeline for BSNL’s new towers have not been disclosed.
BSNL Gets Approval for 26,000 More 4G Towers
According to a PTI report published on November 6, a government source said approval had been given to BSNL to install 26,000 new 4G mobile towers. These sites would be in addition to the approximately one lakh 4G sites that the state-run operator has already deployed.
The report does not identify the authority that granted the approval. It also does not specify which states, telecom circles or locations will receive the new towers, or when the deployment will begin. BSNL has not yet issued a separate public announcement detailing this additional batch.
The expansion is significant because BSNL is still working to strengthen its 4G coverage and improve service quality against private operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The government had earlier said that BSNL was deploying one lakh indigenously developed 4G sites. In a February 2026 update, the Ministry of Communications said 97,672 sites had been installed and 95,511 were on air as of January 15, 2026. The newly reported approval would add another phase to that network expansion.
BSNL and Vodafone Idea Plan to Expand Roaming Arrangement
The more immediate development for network coverage is the proposed expansion of the inter-circle roaming (ICR) arrangement between BSNL and Vodafone Idea.
According to the PTI report, BSNL already has ICR arrangements with Vi in two to three circles and plans to add another 12 to 13 circles. The arrangement is intended to help subscribers of both operators access mobile connectivity in areas where their primary network has limited coverage.
Under inter-circle roaming, a customer can use a partner operator’s network in a different licensed service area, subject to the agreement and technical arrangements between the companies. This can help improve connectivity without requiring both operators to build a complete network in every location.
The proposed expansion should not be confused with a confirmed nationwide tower-sharing agreement. Roaming allows subscribers to access a partner network; infrastructure sharing can involve arrangements for using physical network assets such as towers and fibre. The precise scope of the proposed ICR expansion has not been publicly disclosed.
Why the BSNL–Vi Arrangement Could Benefit Both Operators
At first glance, the arrangement may appear to favour BSNL because it is still expanding its 4G footprint. However, access to each other’s network can be useful for both companies.
For BSNL, roaming access could help address coverage gaps while its own additional sites are being deployed. It may also improve service continuity in locations where building new infrastructure would take time or require significant investment.
For Vodafone Idea, access to BSNL’s network could help maintain connectivity in selected areas where Vi has a weaker footprint or where additional independent deployment may not be commercially attractive. This could complement Vi’s ongoing network expansion.
The arrangement could therefore give both operators another way to improve coverage while competing with Jio and Airtel. Its actual benefit will depend on the circles covered, the locations included, network quality and the commercial terms agreed by the companies.
Vi’s Network Expansion Depends on Funding
Vodafone Idea is also working to raise funds for its network expansion. The PTI report said the company was looking to raise debt to support a capital expenditure plan of around Rs 45,000 crore.
The report also said Vi had raised approximately Rs 6,400 crore in the first tranche of funding, including money from warrants and debt proceeds through external commercial borrowings and Indian private banks.
Vi has been investing in expanding 4G coverage and rolling out 5G services in selected markets. Its latest company disclosures have highlighted additional 4G sites, capacity upgrades and 5G expansion as part of its network investment programme.
However, the Rs 45,000 crore figure should be understood as the reported capital expenditure requirement, not as confirmation that the entire amount has already been raised through debt. The pace of future network deployment will depend on funding availability and execution.
Will the New Towers Be Enough for BSNL?
The approval for another 26,000 towers would be a useful addition, but the number alone does not establish how much BSNL’s coverage will improve.
The impact will depend on where the sites are installed. New towers in underserved rural areas, highways and locations with weak indoor coverage could address different connectivity problems from additional capacity sites in crowded urban markets.
Backhaul connectivity, power supply, equipment integration and the availability of spectrum also matter. A tower count by itself is not a complete measure of network quality.
For subscribers, the important questions are therefore where BSNL will deploy the additional sites, when they will become operational and whether the company can deliver consistent data speeds and voice coverage.
The proposed BSNL–Vi roaming expansion could provide a separate, potentially faster way to improve connectivity in selected areas. But until the operators disclose the circles and implementation details, subscribers should not assume that roaming access will become available everywhere.
For now, the reported tower approval and the proposed roaming expansion point to a broader effort by BSNL and Vi to strengthen their networks. Whether this translates into a meaningful improvement for customers will depend on execution rather than the headline numbers alone.
