A senior official from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced that the public telecom operator plans to roll out 5G services in select metropolitan cities by the end of 2025. The targeted cities include Mumbai and Delhi, where 5G deployment is expected first.

Transition Amid 4G Rollout Gaps

BSNL is currently in the process of transitioning from 4G to 5G, even though its 4G deployment is not yet fully completed. There remain significant gaps in coverage, and independent network intelligence assessments show that BSNL still lags behind private telecom players in terms of network experience.

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Strategic Rationale & Metro Focus

The decision to begin 5G rollout in Mumbai and Delhi is also tied to the operational consolidation of MTNL’s mobile operations into BSNL. The merger is intended to create a unified operational model and deliver consistent telecom services across the country.

Pan-India 4G Launch Timeline & Expectations

BSNL is also expected to formally announce a Pan-India 4G rollout on September 27, 2025. Observers will be watching closely to see whether customers see tangible improvements in network quality as the transition to 5G advances.