BSNL 4G SIM Available For Rs 20; Govt. Says BSNL Needed For #DigitalIndia!

Strong indicators are coming in, which suggest that BSNL will be launching their 4G services pan-India, very soon.
Besides, Govt of India has once again stressed on the fact that state-run BSNL is crucial for Digital India’s success, despite being in severe loss due to the presence of other private telcos.


Can we witness a major revival of BSNL with 4G?
BSNL 4G SIM Sales Start!

Now, any BSNL user can visit any mobile store or BSNL office and get a new USIM for 4G services, by paying Rs 20.

This new USIM would be able to catch BSNL’s new 4G network and elevate the user from 3G to 4G.

Note here, that in 2009, when BSNL first launched 3G services, their new SIM was available for Rs 300. Now, the cost is just Rs 20.

As per insider reports, this new USIM is mandatory for accessing BSNL’s new 4G services.

This means that BSNL’s much awaited 4G services would be rolled out pretty soon, all over India. BSNL has already said that 10,000 4G eNode-Bs in the North, South, East and West zones would be installed.

BSNL’s first 4G tower has already been installed in Karnataka, and their 4G services are on in Kerala, wherein their existing 3G network infrastructure is being used for 4G services.
We Need BSNL For Digital India: Govt. of India

Meanwhile, at an event called ‘Heads of Circles Conference’ conducted by BSNL, representatives of Govt. have stressed on the fact that BSNL is needed for Digital India.

Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan shared some interesting numbers and data related to BSNL’s contribution in making India digital.

She said,

    “BSNL has a clear lead and advantage. While we realise the target of installing five million wi-fi hotspots by 2020 and 10 million hotspots by 2022, as mentioned in the draft NDCP 2018. Fifty per cent of household in India will have FTTH”, adding, “Smart thinking and smart implementation at this stage will be an edge for BSNL.”

BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava said that despite stiff competition from private players (read Jio), BSNL hasn’t increased their tariff, and helping the common man to get connected.

As per Anupam, this stand by the BSNL has helped them to increase their subscriber base, and retain loyal users. As per numbers shared, BSNL’s percentage in overall telecom market has improved to 9.4% from 7.6% a year back.

Union Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said that India needs BSNL’s expertise and experience to penetrate deep into the rural hinterland, and take the Digital India message to all.

Some top-level projects have already been assigned to BSNL by the government, which includes the Rs 150 crore Smart City project.

Do you think Govt. is really keen to rejuvenate BSNL, and make it an able force to deal with the likes of Airtel and Jio?