HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the indigenous 4G network on Saturday at a central event in Jharsuguda, Odisha, marking a historic milestone in Bharat’s digital journey.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the event virtually from Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, alongside Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other dignitaries, including Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.
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The launch coincides with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations and ensures that all mobile towers, optical fiber, and related telecom equipment are now manufactured entirely in India.
Speaking at the programme, Minister Scindia said that with the inauguration, India has become the fifth country in the world to manufacture its own telecom equipment, joining the ranks of Denmark, Sweden, China, and South Korea.
He described the development as a transformation of India from a service and consumer-oriented nation to a hub of production, innovation, entrepreneurship, and exports.
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s vision of building a self-reliant India through the use of indigenous products.
He said that 92,633 new 4G towers have been installed across the country and emphasized that the indigenous network will soon be upgraded to 5G, with 6G planned by 2030.
Sarma added that BSNL will set up data centers in five locations across India, including Guwahati, with construction already underway near Borjhar Airport.
These centers will generate local employment opportunities and allow youth in Assam to work within the state.
He also noted the realisation of a 5G lab at Gauhati University and highlighted efforts to indigenise semiconductor manufacturing in Assam, positioning the state as a major technology hub.
Minister Scindia said the 4G rollout will connect remote and difficult-to-reach regions, including insurgency-affected areas, border regions, islands, and hilly terrains, ensuring that every village is digitally linked to markets, healthcare, and essential services.
He called telecom connectivity a ‘jeevan setu’ (life bridge) and asserted that India is set to lead globally in 5G network deployment.
The Prime Minister, chief minister, and union minister also paid tributes to the late singer Zubeen Garg at the beginning of the event.
On the occasion of BSNL’s 25th anniversary, a commemorative booklet titled Sanchar Charika was released.
The event was attended by senior officials, MPs, and leaders from BSNL and the Tata Group.
Sarma said the indigenous 4G network demonstrates India’s technological self-reliance and strengthens the country’s position in innovation, production, and digital connectivity, reflecting the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’ (With inputs from PTI)
