7,200 towers installed in state; BSNL to launch 5G services in Kerala by December

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: BSNL will provide fifth-generation telecom (5G) services in Kerala by December. The indigenously built 4G network system will be completed in the state today. Along with this, the eSIM scheme will also be available, BSNL Kerala Circle Chief General Manager R. Sajikumar informed in a press conference.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make the announcement of the implementation of the indigenous 4G network across the country in Odisha today. The revolutionary services are being provided as part of celebrating the 25th anniversary of BSNL's formation on October 1.

The 4G network was developed in collaboration with Tejas Network, C-Dot and TCS. India is the sixth country in the world to provide telecom services using indigenous technology. The current network is also equipped to provide 5G services in the next phase, so there will be no additional cost. Nearly one lakh towers have been installed across the country to ensure 5G services once the practical issues in the 4G network are resolved and the network is fully operational. There are 7,200 towers in Kerala. The Chief General Manager said that mobile, internet and WiFi services will be available in the best possible way without any interruptions.

With the launch of 4G, 3G services in the state will be discontinued. Currently, 3G services have been stopped in Kannur and Kozhikode districts. 4G services will be available in 311 places from today. The only places remaining are KSEB's dam sites and tribal villages in the inner forests. With the launch of 4G, BSNL's revenue in the state will reach Rs 2,500 crore, Sajikumar said.

Electronic SIM cards will be provided free of cost from today instead of physical SIM cards. These can be purchased from BSNL customer care centres. E-SIMs are used in Apple and Google phones, as well as in expensive Samsung phones and high-tech phones.