Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has unveiled a groundbreaking 4G and 5G-ready over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform, marking a significant advancement in telecommunications. This new platform, introduced in Chandigarh, is designed to enhance connectivity and service quality across India. Developed in partnership with Pyro Holdings, the platform promises improved network speeds, better coverage, and the flexibility for users to replace SIM cards without geographical restrictions. A disaster recovery site has also been established in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, ensuring the reliability of services.

The new platform is a major step towards fulfilling BSNL’s commitment to providing robust 4G and future 5G services. Chairman and Managing Director Ravi A. Robert Jerard highlighted that this innovation would benefit customers by facilitating SIM replacements and modifications remotely. The platform is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, especially in rural and remote areas of India, aligning with the Government's “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative aimed at fostering self-reliance in telecommunications.

BSNL is set to complete its full-fledged 4G rollout by March 2025, with plans to deploy 15,000 network towers across key regions and add 80,000 more by October this year. The cloud-based 4G core technology currently in use is also anticipated to support the future 5G services. This strategic move not only enhances BSNL’s network capabilities but also reinforces its commitment to improving connectivity and service quality nationwide.