BSNL’s indigenous 4G network now handles around 6 petabytes of daily data as its nationwide rollout reaches about 1 lakh sites.
BSNL’s indigenous 4G network is now handling around 6 petabytes of mobile data every day, marking a significant usage milestone as the state-run operator’s homegrown network approaches a nationwide footprint of 1 lakh sites. The latest figure indicates that BSNL‘s domestically developed 4G infrastructure is already carrying substantial real-world consumer traffic rather than remaining limited to a network rollout exercise.
According to C-DOT CEO Rajkumar Upadhyay, BSNL has deployed around 1.75 lakh 4G base stations across 1 lakh sites, serving approximately 2.2 crore to 2.3 crore 4G subscribers. The daily data volume on the network has now reached about 6 petabytes, reflecting the growing usage of BSNL’s upgraded mobile infrastructure.
The milestone is significant for India’s indigenous telecom technology programme because the network combines components developed by multiple Indian technology organisations. A TCS-led consortium has handled system integration, Tejas Networks has supplied the radio access network, while C-DOT has provided the indigenous core network.
BSNL 4G Network Now Carries 6 Petabytes Daily
The 6 petabyte daily traffic figure represents approximately 6 million GB of data every day. While the number is still considerably smaller than the traffic handled by India’s largest private operators, it is significant for a network that has been undergoing a large-scale technology transition from older-generation infrastructure to an indigenous 4G stack.
The network is currently serving around 2.2 crore to 2.3 crore 4G subscribers through 1.75 lakh base stations deployed across approximately 1 lakh sites. This gives BSNL a substantial live user base on which to test and scale its domestic network technology under normal commercial conditions.
The growing traffic also provides an indication that BSNL’s 4G rollout is translating into actual data usage. As more existing customers migrate from older network technologies to 4G, the amount of data carried by the indigenous network can be expected to increase further.
1 Lakh Sites Strengthen BSNL’s 4G Footprint
BSNL’s indigenous 4G programme was designed around a target of deploying 1 lakh sites across India. Government data earlier showed that the operator had already installed more than 97,000 indigenous 4G sites, with the equipment designed to be upgradeable to 5G from a technology perspective.
The latest C-DOT figures indicate that the network has now reached approximately 1 lakh sites, putting BSNL’s major indigenous 4G deployment milestone within reach or effectively at that scale depending on the distinction between installed, operational and deployed sites.
This distinction is important because telecom infrastructure numbers can refer to sites, base stations, installed equipment or equipment that is actually on air. The latest C-DOT statement specifically refers to 1.75 lakh base stations deployed across 1 lakh sites, providing service to BSNL’s 4G subscribers.
TCS, C-DOT and Tejas Networks Power the Network
BSNL’s indigenous 4G network is one of India’s largest examples of a domestically developed telecom stack being deployed at national scale. The architecture involves C-DOT’s core network, Tejas Networks’ radio access network and TCS as the systems integrator.
This structure is important because India historically depended heavily on overseas vendors for telecom network equipment. The BSNL project was developed to create an indigenous alternative that could be deployed across a large commercial network while also building domestic expertise in core, radio and network integration technologies.
The government has previously described the indigenous 4G stack as a fully homegrown technology platform and highlighted its potential for future 5G upgrades and international opportunities.
BSNL Is Moving Beyond the 4G Rollout
The latest network usage milestone comes as BSNL and its technology partners begin focusing more heavily on the next stage of network development. The company is not simply expanding 4G coverage; it is also preparing the technology foundation needed for future 5G services.
C-DOT has already developed an indigenous 5G radio access network, and the technology is undergoing live testing on BSNL’s network in Ambala. According to C-DOT, the testing was expected to continue for about a month, while commercial deployment would depend on the eventual bidding and contracting conditions between BSNL and the technology provider.
The existing 4G equipment is also described by the government as 5G-upgradable from a technology perspective. That gives BSNL a potential path toward 5G without having to completely replace the network architecture deployed during the current 4G expansion.
HD Voice Is Also Being Added to BSNL 4G
Another important development is the deployment of an IP Multimedia Subsystem, or IMS, for BSNL’s 4G network. C-DOT said IMS-based high-definition voice calling has already been enabled in seven telecom circles, with plans to expand the capability nationwide.
IMS is important because it allows voice services to operate natively over a modern IP-based 4G network. Wider deployment can improve the experience for customers migrating from older network technologies while giving BSNL a more modern foundation for future voice services.
C-DOT also said the IMS implementation would require only minor software updates to support BSNL’s 5G network when it is launched.
Why the 6 PB Milestone Matters for BSNL
The importance of the 6 PB figure is not simply its size. It demonstrates that India’s indigenous telecom stack is handling substantial commercial traffic across a large deployed network and millions of active 4G users.
A network can look successful on paper based on the number of sites installed, but actual data traffic provides another measure of utilisation. BSNL’s latest figure therefore gives a clearer indication that its indigenous 4G infrastructure is being used at scale by customers.
The network is still much smaller in traffic terms than those of India’s largest private operators, so the 6 PB figure should not be interpreted as evidence that BSNL has closed the overall network gap. Instead, it represents an important validation of the indigenous technology at the scale currently deployed.
BSNL’s 4G Expansion Could Support Subscriber Growth
BSNL has been rebuilding its mobile network while trying to retain and attract subscribers through comparatively affordable tariffs. Government data showed that its overall customer base increased from 8.86 crore in March 2024 to 9.28 crore in December 2025, although subscriber growth alone does not indicate how many customers are actively using the new 4G network.
The expansion of indigenous 4G gives the company an opportunity to convert more of its existing customer base to faster mobile data services. As more users migrate to 4G, daily traffic should become an increasingly important indicator of whether the network expansion is translating into greater customer engagement.
This could become particularly important in rural and semi-urban markets, where BSNL has historically maintained a strong presence and where government-backed network expansion can improve connectivity in areas that may not always be the highest commercial priority for private operators.
India’s Indigenous Telecom Stack Enters a New Phase
BSNL’s indigenous 4G network has moved beyond the initial deployment phase and is increasingly being measured by how much real-world traffic it can handle. Reaching around 6 petabytes of daily data while serving more than 2 crore 4G subscribers gives C-DOT, TCS and Tejas Networks an important operational benchmark for the technology.
The next challenge will be to maintain network quality as traffic grows, expand coverage, improve customer experience and complete the transition of more BSNL subscribers to 4G. At the same time, live testing of indigenous 5G technology could provide the next major test for India’s homegrown telecom ecosystem.
For BSNL, the 6 PB milestone is therefore an important step in its network revival. The bigger test will be whether the combination of indigenous technology, expanding 4G coverage and future 5G capability can translate into sustained subscriber growth and a stronger competitive position against India’s private telecom operators.
