BSNL Becomes First Indian Operator to Launch Indigenous SIM-less Quantum 5G FWA Service in Hyderabad.
Science and Technology
On June 18, 2025, BSNL soft-launched India’s first fully indigenous Quantum 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) service at Ameerpet Exchange, Hyderabad. Inaugurated by Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD of BSNL/MTNL, the launch marks a strategic milestone in India’s 5G rollout—featuring SIM-less, direct-to-device 5G radio with indigenous technology.
- This launch positions BSNL as the first Indian telecom operator to offer a SIM-less 5G architecture, where the user’s device connects directly without a physical SIM. Built on BSNL’s Direct-to-Device platform, the solution eliminates the need for SIM cards, showcasing innovation in 5G authentication and pushing India towards global telecom standards.
- Quantum 5G FWA is developed with a fully indigenous stack—including the core, radio access network (RAN), and customer premises equipment (CPE)—designed and integrated under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. All hardware and software components were produced by Indian vendors, aligning with national goals of telecom self-reliance and domestic capability in advanced connectivity solutions.
- The soft launch in Hyderabad delivered gigabit-class performance, achieving 980 Mbps download and 140 Mbps upload speeds, with sub-10ms latency. These speeds support ultra-HD streaming, cloud gaming, and real-time video collaboration. BSNL’s wireless installation model also removes the need for fiber trenching, making deployment faster and cost-efficient across urban and semi-urban areas.
Main Point :- (i) BSNL has deployed a self-install gateway that connects to 85% of Hyderabad households using existing BSNL tower infrastructure. This rapid-installation method allows the operator to bypass traditional cable deployment, enabling instant broadband access across homes and offices, thereby accelerating broadband penetration in India’s most digital-ready city ecosystems.
(ii) The rollout roadmap includes pilot expansions to Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, and Chandigarh, with field trials going live by September 2025. BSNL announced introductory tariffs starting at ₹999/month for 100 Mbps and ₹1499/month for 300 Mbps—bringing affordable, high-speed broadband to both residential and commercial users nationwide.
(iii) BSNL will also deploy its Enterprise Edge-Cloud solution using the same 5G SA core, enabling SLA-based connectivity for MSMEs and industrial IoT. The project will support smart manufacturing, remote operations, and network slicing. Nationwide rollout will begin after feedback from pilot cities, making BSNL a leader in India’s indigenous 5G revolution.
About BSNL
Founded: 2000
Headquarters: New Delhi
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