State‑owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been struggling to roll out 5g services even as private competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have widely deployed theirs. In 2026, bsnl still hasn’t launched full‑scale 5G, leaving many users frustrated and wondering why the delay is so long.

Here’s a detailed look at the real reasons behind the holdup — many of which go beyond simple network upgrades:

🛠 1. bsnl Focused on Building 4G First

Rather than directly launching 5g, bsnl spent years building its 4G network infrastructure — which itself was severely delayed. Until 4G is widely deployed and stable, it’s technically difficult to roll out 5g because 5g networks generally begin as upgrades on existing 4G sites.

Although bsnl has activated tens of thousands of 4G sites, the network expansion is ongoing and only now approaching broader scale, which naturally slows the transition to the next generation.

🇮🇳 2. Indigenous technology Requirements Slow Down Progress

A major strategic constraint has been the government’s requirement that bsnl use locally developed 4G/5G network technology rather than buying gear from global vendors like nokia, Ericsson, or Samsung. This “self‑reliant India” policy means the telco is deploying equipment from indian companies — such as Tata Consultancy services (TCS), tejas Networks, and C‑DoT — which has taken longer to engineer, test, and certify for large‑scale use.

This policy choice, while aimed at boosting domestic tech, has added critical delays because the indigenous tech stack took extra time to mature and scale up compared with off‑the‑shelf global solutions.

📦 3. Supply and Deployment Issues

Both government sources and industry analysts have pointed to logistical and equipment supply challenges as central causes of delays in rolling out higher‑speed networks, including 5G. Delays in purchasing orders and installation schedules have even affected partner companies financially. For example, network equipment maker tejas Networks saw business impacts due to delayed bsnl orders, as major purchase orders were held up.

Delays in receiving crucial network gear and completing installation work have slowed down both 4G and 5g deployment projects.

🧠 4. Operational & Readiness Issues

Industry insiders say the biggest underlying challenge isn’t just hardware, but operational readiness — coordinating hundreds of thousands of sites, ensuring power and tower availability, training personnel on new systems, and integrating complex software upgrades. Issues like these take significant time to resolve, especially in a large, legacy network like BSNL’s.

This means bsnl has had to take more cautious, phased approaches rather than flipping a switch — unlike private players who had finished 4G long before and could more quickly transition to full 5G.

📉 5. Competition and Subscriber Pressure

Private carriers launched 5g much earlier and captured most of the market. This not only reduced BSNL’s subscriber base, but also increased pressure on the public telco to modernize faster without losing finances or customers. Some observers argue the company has been trying to balance growth with affordability, offering cheap plans while expanding infrastructure, which further spreads out resources.

📊 What This Means Going Forward

Despite the delays, there is progress:

• BSNL has already started testing and preparing towers for 5g upgrade compatibility.
• Government officials have indicated nationwide 5g upgrades may occur within a few months once 4G is fully entrenched.

This suggests that BSNL’s 5g rollout might finally accelerate now that foundational network layers are being put in place.

🧾 In Summary

The delay in BSNL’s 5g launch isn’t due to a single glitch — it’s a result of:
✔ A long, slow roll‑out of basic 4G infrastructure.
✔ A policy push for indigenous telecom technology that took more time.
✔ Equipment and purchase order delays affecting deployment partners.
✔ Operational readiness and coordination challenges across India’s vast network.
✔ Competitive pressures from private telcos grabbing early 5g market share.

While the wait has been long and frustrating for users, these structural and policy factors help explain why bsnl hasn’t rolled out 5g yet — and why its launch might finally be closer than it’s been in years.

 

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