BSNL - India

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BSNL (India) uses 2 GSM bands, 1 UMTS band, 5 LTE bands, and 3 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with BSNL (India). See the tables below for details.

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Carrier website: http://www.bsnl.co.in/

Last updated: 2024/08/03 - See latest updates

BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is a major provider of GSM mobile services in India, operating under the brand names CellOne and BSNL. Here are some key points about BSNL's mobile network:

  1. Coverage and Customer Base:

    • BSNL has a wide network coverage across both urban and rural areas of India.
    • It has over 121.82 million customers, making it a significant player in the Indian mobile market.

  2. Services Offered:

    • Prepaid and Postpaid Services: BSNL offers both prepaid and postpaid mobile services.
    • Value-Added Services (VAS): These include Free Phone Service (FPH), India Telephone Card (Prepaid card), Account Card Calling (ACC), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Tele-voting, Premium Rate Service (PRM), and IPTV for watching television through the Internet.

  3. Network Infrastructure:

    • BSNL is in the process of deploying 1.12 lakh towers for 4G and 5G services across India.
    • The company has already installed over 9,000 towers, with more than 6,000 active in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP West, and Haryana.

  4. Indigenous Technology:

    • BSNL is launching 4G services across India in August 2024, using completely indigenous technology developed by IT company TCS, state-run telecom research organization C-DoT, and other consortium partners.

  5. Customer Care:

    • BSNL has enhanced its customer care services, including round-the-clock help through various toll-free numbers and dedicated customer service centers that operate seven days a week.

  6. Financials and Ownership:

    • BSNL is a 100% government-owned public sector undertaking with an authorized share capital of Rs. 1,50,000 Crores and paid-up capital of Rs. 38,886.44 Crores.

BSNL continues to play a crucial role in the Indian telecommunications sector, focusing on expanding its network and improving customer services.

Frequency Bands

GSM

Name Interface Description
900 MHz (E-GSM) GSM

BSNL India uses the GSM 900 MHz (E-GSM) frequency band. It was deployed as part of BSNL's GSM/GPRS network, which was launched in late 2002.
1800 MHz (DCS) GSM

BSNL India uses the GSM 1800 MHz (DCS) frequency band for its mobile services. This band was first assigned for commercial usage in 2001, bundled with the 4th Cellular license. The GSM 1800 MHz band is primarily used for GSM technology and has been a core band for GSM services in India. It supports frequencies from 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz for the uplink and from 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz for the downlink.

Supported GSM Protocols

Name Generation
EDGE 2.5G

UMTS

Name Interface Description
B1 (2100 MHz) UMTS

BSNL India uses the UMTS B1 (2100 MHz) frequency band for its mobile services. This band was deployed by BSNL on 27 February 2010, when BSNL launched its 3G services pan-India.

Supported UMTS Protocols

Name Generation
UMTS 3G
HSPA+ 3.5G (4G speed)

LTE

Name Interface Description
B1 (2100 MHz) LTE

BSNL India uses the LTE B1 (2100 MHz) frequency band. This band is used for UMTS and FD-LTE services. BSNL launched 3G services on this band pan-India on February 27, 2010.
B3 (1800 MHz +) LTE

BSNL India uses the LTE B3 (1800 MHz +) frequency band for its 4G services. The deployment of this band is part of BSNL's efforts to enhance mobile broadband capabilities and support more customers with a better user experience. BSNL has rolled out 4G services in Punjab using indigenously developed technology, and it plans to launch 4G services across the country in August 2024.
B5 (850 MHz) LTE

BSNL India uses the LTE band 5 (850 MHz) for its wireless cellular services. This band is utilized for providing GSM and LTE services across various telecom circles in India. The deployment of LTE band 5 (850 MHz) by BSNL India is part of its ongoing efforts to expand its 4G network coverage and improve service quality.
B28 (700 MHz APT) LTE

BSNL India uses LTE Band 28 (700 MHz APT) for its 4G LTE network deployments. This band operates between 703 MHz and 803 MHz, utilizing a full-duplex frequency division duplex (FDD) configuration. The uplink frequencies range from 703 to 748 MHz, and the downlink frequencies range from 758 to 803 MHz. The band supports channel bandwidths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz, known for its excellent propagation characteristics that enhance wide area coverage and strong indoor penetration.
B41 (TD 2500 MHz) LTE

BSNL India uses LTE Band 41 (TD 2500 MHz) for its 4G services. This band is utilized for high-speed data services using TD-LTE technology. The deployment of this band is part of BSNL's efforts to enhance its 4G network capabilities across the country.

Supported LTE Protocols

Name Generation
LTE 4G

5G NR

Name Interface Description
N28 (700 MHz) 5G NR

BSNL India is using the 5G NR frequency band N28 (700 MHz) for its 5G services. This band is expected to be deployed as part of BSNL's 5G rollout, which is anticipated to begin in March 2024. The 700 MHz band is considered premium due to its wide coverage and the ability to use fewer telecom towers compared to other frequencies. It is also expected to support true standalone 5G (SA 5G) services, requiring an upgrade of the entire network gear.
N78 (3500 MHz) 5G NR

BSNL India is using the 5G NR N78 (3500 MHz) frequency band for its 5G services. This band operates within the 3300 to 3800 MHz range and supports TDD duplex mode. It is a popular mid-band frequency, known for its relatively common availability and ability to deliver high capacity throughput. The band is used to set up end-to-end secure private 5G networks, including the spectrum for clients, as part of BSNL's partnership with Amantya Technologies.
N258 (mmWave 26 GHz) 5G NR

BSNL India has partnered with Amantya Technologies to set up and maintain 5G private networks, which will utilize the 5G NR N258 (mmWave 26 GHz) frequency band. The deployment of these networks is expected to begin by March 2024.

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