CONTEXT – DIGITAL INDIA & 5G MISSION

• India is rapidly expanding digital infrastructure under Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Government aims to bridge the rural-urban digital divide and ensure inclusive access to high-speed internet.
• BSNL, a state-owned telecom operator, is central to India’s public sector telecom strategy.

CONCEPT – WHAT IS BSNL QUANTUM 5G FWA?

• Quantum 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access): A SIM-less, wireless broadband solution delivering fibre-like speeds using 5G radio.
• First-of-its-kind in India:
  • SIM-less architecture built on BSNL’s Direct-to-Device (D2D) platform.
  • No need for physical SIM; customer equipment (CPE) auto-authenticates.
• Indigenously developed:
  • Core network, radio access network (RAN), and customer equipment developed by Indian vendors.
  • Developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• High-speed performance:
  • Up to 980 Mbps download / 140 Mbps upload, sub-10 ms latency.
  • Suitable for 4K/8K streaming, gaming, remote work, and virtual meetings.
• Easy setup:
  • Self-installable gateway covering 85% of Hyderabad households via existing BSNL tower grid.
  • No trenching or fibre installation needed.

CURRENT – SOFT LAUNCH & FUTURE ROADMAP

• Soft Launch Date: June 18, 2025, in Hyderabad (Ameerpet Exchange).
• Pilot cities (by Sept 2025): Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, Chandigarh.
• Introductory tariffs:
  • ₹999/month for 100 Mbps,
  • ₹1499/month for 300 Mbps.
• Enterprise Integration:
  • Will support network-sliced, SLA-based services for MSMEs and smart factories via enterprise edge-cloud.
• Strategic significance:
  • Positions BSNL as the first Indian telco to offer indigenous, SIM-less 5G service.
  • Supports India’s goal of technological self-reliance and 5G leadership.