📋 Tender Overview
Introduction
India has marked a historic milestone with the launch of its first fully indigenous 4G (5G-ready) network and the commissioning of nearly 98,000 Swadeshi 4G towers, all powered by homegrown technology. The core network, developed by C-DOT, with Tejas Networks Radio Access Network and integration by TCS, exemplifies a major technological breakthrough and the realization of the Governments commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Previously dependent on foreign technology for telecom services like 2G, 3G, and 4G, India responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by building this fully indigenous 4G stack from scratch, demonstrating resilience, rapid innovation, and supply-chain independence. This achievement places India among five nations capable of launching fully homegrown 4G services, reinforcing the swadeshi spirit. BSNLs cloud-native, 5G-ready 4G stack ensures immediate connectivity while enabling seamless upgrades, nurturing domestic talent, and strengthening supply chains. Complementary government initiatives, including the Bharat 6G Alliance, 100 5G/6G labs, and the Telecom Technology Development Fund are advancing research and innovation, charting a path toward Viksit Bharat 2047 and global leadership in digital technology.
What is 4G?
4G is the short name for fourth-generation wireless, the stage of broadband mobile communications that supersedes 3G (third-generation wireless) and is the predecessor of 5G (fifth-generation wireless).
With 4G download speeds, wireless users can stream high-definition video and audio. 4G also enables wireless broadband, which provides a way for users to get internet connectivity without the need for a fixed, wired connection from an internet service provider (ISP).
4G leverages technologies like LTE, MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) for improved bandwidth, network efficiency, and reduced congestion.
Features of the 4G Stack
End-to-end indigenous stack: Radio Access Network (Tejas), Core Network (C-DoT) and domestic integration, therefore reducing dependency on foreign vendors and building local capability.
Software-first/ cloud native: Enables rapid upgrades, scalability and easier future migration path to 5G.
Future proofing: Sites and architecture described as 5G ready, facilitating an upgrade path without replacing large parts of the deployed infrastructure.
BSNLs indigenous 4G services are expected to benefit tribal regions, remote villages, and hilly areas by providing access to quality digital services. This will enable children in rural areas to attend online classes, farmers in distant locations to check crop prices, and patients to consult doctors through telemedicine. Additionally, the initiative will greatly support armed forces personnel by enhancing secure communication through improved connectivity.
Benefits & Impact of the Indigenous 4G Stack
Strategic Autonomy and Digital Sovereignty: The fully indigenous 4G stack empowers India to control its telecom infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign technologies and enhancing national security, thereby strengthening the countrys strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty in critical communication networks.
Employment generation and supply-chain development: Localised manufacturing and deployment are creating employment, strengthening supplier ecosystems, and nurturing a skilled domestic workforce capable of designing, testing, and maintaining advanced telecom systems. This adds both human capital and supply-chain autonomy to Indias telecom sector.
Catering to domestic demand with global potential: The fully indigenous 4G stack is not only meeting Indias internal requirements but is also designed with export potential, with several countries having already expressed interest.
Rapid development through indigenous capability: The entire 4G architecture was indigenously built in just 22 months, a pace significantly faster than comparable nations.
Expanding scale and reach: More than 92,000 4G sites have been commissioned across the country, connecting over 22 million citizens. For two million users, this marks their first entry into the digital era. The network is managing nearly four petabytes of data traffic every day with efficiency and security.
Realisation of the Swadeshi principle: The deployment reflects the Swadeshi ethos, transforming an idea into a growth engine that promotes domestic production, cultivates indigenous skills, inspire community enterprise, and embeds economic dignity into everyday life.
Financial turnaround and citizen trust: Confidence in homegrown technology has enabled BSNL to record consecutive profitable quarters after 17 years of financial strain. This turnaround underlines the trust citizens place in institutions aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Going beyond 4G: Embracing 5G
The successful deployment of indigenous 4G technology and expansion of 5G is accelerating digital connectivity and strengthening Indias telecom ecosystem for future advancements.
5G services launched on 1st Oct 2022.
Within 8 months of launch, 2,00,000 sites covering 700 districts have been installed.
5G network rolled out in all 28 states and 8 UTs.
Becoming one of the fastest 5G rollouts in the world.
Presently, 5G is available in most of the districts across the country.
As of 30th June, 2025, 4.86 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) across the country.
5G Use Cases
Agriculture: 5G will empower precision farming and smart agriculture with real-time data from IoT sensors, drones, and AI for enhanced productivity and resource management.
Healthcare: 5G enables telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and real-time health monitoring, improving healthcare access especially in rural areas.
Education: Enhanced virtual classrooms and immersive augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences will improve remote learning opportunities.
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