Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) first ‘Swadeshi’ 4G network from Jharsuguda, Odisha — a major stride in India’s push for self-reliance and digital transformation. The rollout, coinciding with BSNL’s 25th anniversary, marks a landmark moment in the country’s telecom journey, with a strong focus on indigenous innovation and rural connectivity.

Officials hailed the project as a turning point for the Digital India mission, noting that it will help bridge the digital divide and empower underserved communities. According to government sources, the fully homegrown 4G technology will serve over 20 lakh new users and lay the groundwork for a seamless upgrade to 5G.

As part of the event, PM Modi also dedicated more than 97,500 mobile towers built under BSNL’s expansion plan — including over 92,000 equipped with the latest 4G systems. The project, implemented at an estimated cost of ₹37,000 crore, makes India one of the few nations to develop and deploy its own telecom infrastructure.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Prime Minister said Odisha’s development is central to India’s growth story. He promised that the state, long overlooked despite its rich resources, will play a key role in the coming decade. “Odisha has endured many years of hardship, but this decade will lead it toward prosperity. The Centre has approved two semiconductor units for the state, and a semiconductor park will also come up here soon,” he announced.

The indigenously built network has been designed with a cloud-based, future-ready architecture that allows an effortless transition to 5G. Officials confirmed that the project will connect more than 26,700 previously unlinked villages — including over 2,400 in Odisha — covering remote and difficult terrains such as border regions and left-wing extremism-affected districts.

In a major green initiative, a large section of the newly installed towers will run on solar energy, forming India’s biggest cluster of eco-friendly telecom sites. This step aligns with the government’s focus on sustainable development while ensuring widespread digital inclusion.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded the achievement, saying, “This is a proud moment for India. With PM Modi’s vision, we have developed a completely indigenous telecom technology. True connectivity happens only when every village is linked to the world.”

PM Modi also unveiled the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative — aimed at achieving 100% 4G saturation — which will provide network access to nearly 30,000 additional villages across the country.

The launch represents more than a technological upgrade; it’s a declaration of India’s growing capability to design, manufacture, and operate its own critical digital infrastructure — empowering millions while charting a sustainable, inclusive digital future.