BSNL, MTNL secure Rs 6,000 crore boost for 4G expansion

In a major push for the 4G rollout of state-run telecom giants Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), the government has reportedly approved an additional Rs 6,000 crore funding. Sources indicate that this allocation was discussed in a Cabinet meeting last Friday and is believed to have received approval, though no official announcement was made at the press briefing.

MTNL, which operates in Delhi and Mumbai, had previously signed an agreement with BSNL to provide 4G services to its users. Under this 10-year partnership, MTNL aims to strengthen its network and enhance connectivity for its customers.

To complete the 4G expansion project, BSNL required additional funding. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 19,000 crore, of which Rs 13,000 crore has already been spent. To bridge the funding gap, BSNL approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which then forwarded the proposal to the Cabinet for approval.

The newly allocated Rs 6,000 crore will be used for deploying approximately 1 lakh 4G sites across the country, significantly improving coverage and service quality.

Since 2019, the government has invested approximately Rs 3.22 lakh crore in BSNL and MTNL through three revival packages, reflecting its commitment to strengthening public-sector telecom operations in India.