Dharamshala (Arvind Sharma) | October 10, 2025 – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will roll out its 5G mobile services in Himachal Pradesh next year after upgrading its newly inaugurated indigenous 4G mobile towers. This was announced by Charan Singh, Chief General Manager of the BSNL Himachal Pradesh Telecom Circle, while addressing a press conference on Friday.
He said BSNL has also launched its e-SIM service, which will be formally rolled out soon, adding that e-SIMs will offer greater security compared to existing SIM cards. Singh highlighted that BSNL’s 4G towers, developed with indigenous technology, are already providing high-speed connectivity to 881 previously unconnected remote villages and tribal regions, including Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi, Bharmour, and Tissa.
BSNL currently has over 1.7 million mobile subscribers in Himachal Pradesh and has added nearly 300,000 new customers in the past year. Singh further informed that, in line with its disaster management policy, BSNL has provided around 100 satellite phones with Inmarsat stations to the State Disaster Management Authority, hydropower projects, and other agencies, proving vital in relief operations during emergencies.
Referring to the Revamped BharatNet (ABP) program, Singh said the ₹2,450 crore project, funded by the Digital India Fund and implemented by ITI Limited, will connect all 3,615 gram panchayats and about 15,500 non-GP villages by 2027. Through advanced OFC ring architecture, IP-MPLS routers, remote fiber monitoring, and reliable power backup systems, the program will ensure robust digital access for government institutions, schools, health centers, police stations, and private enterprises, paving the way for equitable digital development across Himachal Pradesh.
