BSNL 26,000 new 4G towers have reportedly been approved, according to a PTI report published on 7 November 2026 that quotes an unnamed government source. These towers would come on top of the roughly 1 lakh 4G towers BSNL has already installed. BSNL has not yet issued a statement on this specific approval, and the report does not say where the towers will be built or by when.
BSNL 26,000 New 4G Towers – Quick Facts
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Operator | BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) |
| New towers approved | 26,000 (reported) |
| Existing 4G towers | About 1 lakh (as stated in the report) |
| Source of the claim | PTI, citing a government source |
| Locations and timeline | [Not disclosed] |
| Information checked on | 9 November 2026 |
⚠️ Reported, not officially announced. We could not find a BSNL or Department of Telecommunications statement on this approval as of 9 November 2026.
What the Report Says
PTI’s report, carried by Communications Today on 7 November 2026, quotes a source as saying, “Approval has been given to BSNL to install 26,000 new 4G mobile towers.” The same report says BSNL is ramping up its 4G network.
The report does not name the authority that gave the approval. TelecomTalk, which covered the story on 9 November 2026, says BSNL had been asking for approval for additional towers for some time, but that is the outlet’s description and not something the source stated.
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Join NowIs This the Same Batch Announced Earlier?
BSNL has talked about more towers several times this year, and the numbers are close but not identical. It is not clear whether the new report refers to the same batch.
| Date | Who said it | What was said |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2026 | BSNL announcement, per The Organiser | More than 26,300 additional 4G sites ordered |
| 13 October 2026 | MoS Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, per TelecomTalk | 25,000 more towers ordered; another 25,000–50,000 under consideration, depending on cash flow |
| 7 November 2026 | Unnamed government source, per PTI | Approval given for 26,000 new 4G towers |
Note the wording too. The August announcement speaks of “sites” (base transceiver stations), while the PTI report says “towers”. Until BSNL clarifies, treat these as possibly the same expansion rather than three separate additions.
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Where BSNL’s 4G Network Stands Today
On 27 September 2025, the Prime Minister commissioned more than 97,500 4G towers, including 92,600 BSNL sites built on indigenous technology, according to All India Radio’s report on the launch. That is broadly in line with the 1 lakh figure used in the new report.
The 26,000 towers would add roughly a quarter to that count. If they are built, BSNL would have about 1.26 lakh 4G towers. This is our arithmetic, not a figure from BSNL or the government.
Vi Roaming Pact Also in the Works
The same PTI report says BSNL plans an inter-circle roaming (ICR) arrangement with Vodafone Idea (Vi) in another 12–13 circles. It already has one in 2–3 circles, per the source. In simple terms, ICR lets one operator’s customers use the other’s network in circles where their own signal is weak.
In October, the minister described a pilot in a couple of circles and said it was going well, but also said the arrangement was not finalised and that revenue adjustments still had to be worked out. So the wider pact is a plan, not a signed deal.
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What This Means for Users
- BSNL users in weak-signal areas: Do not expect an overnight change. No locations or deadlines are public, so a tower approved today could take months to go live in your area.
- Rural and remote users: BSNL has said its new sites are meant for towns, villages and remote regions, but the latest report does not confirm where these particular towers go.
- Vi users: If the roaming pact is signed for more circles, you may get a usable signal in places where Vi is weak. Nothing is confirmed yet.
- Everyone else: No plan, price or recharge change is linked to this news.
💡 To check coverage near you, use the BSNL Selfcare app or ask at your nearest BSNL customer service centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has BSNL officially announced 26,000 new 4G towers?
Not as of 9 November 2026. The claim comes from a PTI report quoting an unnamed government source. We could not find a BSNL or DoT statement on this approval, so it should be treated as reported.
Where will the 26,000 new BSNL 4G towers be installed?
The report does not say. TelecomTalk also notes that the locations or regions are unspecified. BSNL has earlier said its new sites target towns, villages and remote areas, but that is not a confirmed list for this batch.
How many 4G towers does BSNL have now?
The PTI report puts the figure at about 1 lakh 4G towers. In September 2025, the government said more than 97,500 4G towers had been commissioned, of which 92,600 were BSNL’s indigenous 4G sites.
Will BSNL and Vi customers get roaming in more circles?
BSNL reportedly plans to extend its inter-circle roaming arrangement with Vi to 12–13 more circles. The minister said in October that the pilot was going well but was not finalised, so there is no confirmed launch date.
Final Word on BSNL 26,000 New 4G Towers
The approval, if confirmed, would be a sizeable addition to BSNL’s 4G network, but the missing locations and timeline matter more to users than the headline number. Check BSNL’s official channels for a formal announcement before treating this as final.
