Bhubaneswar, February 7: President Draupadi Murmu, on Saturday, inaugurated the BSNL 4G mobile services in the Similipal region of Mayurbhanj district.
The event took place in the villages of Gudugudia, Barsia, and Astakuan, located within the Yashipur block.
The 4G mobile towers were set up under the Digital India Bharatiya Nidhi (DIBN) initiative by the Government of India, as part of a broader 4G saturation project aimed at providing high-speed mobile connectivity to remote and underserved areas. This effort seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal access to modern digital services.
As part of this initiative, BSNL has already completed the installation of 1,664 new mobile towers and 256 BTS upgrades across Odisha. In Mayurbhanj district alone, 78 new 4G towers are being established, with 65 BTS units already operational, benefiting 151 villages that were previously underserved.
In the Similipal forest region, 10 out of the 14 planned towers are now operational, bringing mobile connectivity to 19 remote villages. The activation of three additional 4G towers will directly benefit over 4,500 people across nine isolated villages.
The introduction of BSNL's 4G services will enhance online education, enable villagers to access online banking and digital payments, provide telemedicine and healthcare services, and facilitate e-Governance. These services are expected to play a significant role in the economic growth and social development of rural areas, empowering communities with digital connectivity.
On this occasion, Dushmant Kumar Behera, Chief General Manager of BSNL Odisha, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and high-quality digital services to all residents of Odisha. He highlighted BSNL’s pivotal role in connecting the remotest regions, contributing to the vision of a digitally empowered and self-reliant India.
The launch of BSNL's indigenous 4G service is a major step in strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure and supporting the government's mission of inclusive and sustainable development.
Ganesh Ram Singhi, Minister of State for the Forest and Environment Department and other dignitaries attended the event.
