BSNL Unions Ask PM to Mandate Its 4G Use Across Government Departments: Report

BSNL Unions Urge Mandatory Use of Its 4G Services Across Government Bodies
Employee unions of state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a directive to make the company’s indigenous 4G services mandatory for all government entities. The proposal covers central and state government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and employees whose mobile expenses are reimbursed from public funds.

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Unions Push for Mandatory BSNL 4G Adoption

In a letter dated April 6, 2026, representatives of the Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch, an umbrella body of multiple BSNL unions, reportedly stated that mandating the use of BSNL’s “swadeshi” 4G network would align with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. The association represents several BSNL employee unions, including AIGETOA, BTEU, BDPS, and AIBSNLOBCEWA.

“It is suggested that the adoption of BSNL’s swadeshi 4G services be made mandatory for all mobile connections wherever expenditure is reimbursed from public funds including all central and state government and public sector entities,” Ravi Shil Verma, chairman, Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch, and RC Pandey, convener, Bharatiya Doorsanchar Manch, wrote in a letter dated April 6, 2026, to Prime Minister Modi. ETTelecom reported this on April 8, 2026, citing a copy of the letter.

Proposal Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision

They argued that such a move would strengthen national security and data sovereignty, enhance utilisation of public funds, and provide critical financial support to the struggling telecom operator. “This step will definitely be a milestone step towards reinforcing India’s telecom sovereignty and realising the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the report added.