BSNL has officially joined the ranks of Indian telecom operators offering eSIM services nationwide, in a strategic partnership with Tata Communications. This collaboration leverages Tata Communications MOVE, a GSMA-accredited eSIM subscription management platform, marking the first time a government-run telco has brought eSIM technology to its subscribers.
Previously, only private players such as Jio and Airtel offered similar services, making BSNL’s move crucial for customers—especially government employees and those in rural or semi-urban areas—seeking the security and flexibility eSIMs provide.
The eSIM rollout, initiated with a soft launch in Tamil Nadu, is now scaling pan-India. It supports 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and is tailored for smartphones that feature a single physical SIM slot alongside an eSIM, making it easier for users to manage multiple numbers and switch carriers remotely. It ensures safer provisioning, instant profile management, and seamless upgrades—directly from a smartphone, eliminating the need for physical SIM swaps or store visits. This is expected to drive eSIM adoption among millions of existing BSNL customers and attract tech-savvy users looking for modern connectivity solutions.
Additional developments and strategic partnerships of BSNL
- Network Expansion: The company has rapidly expanded its 4G network, rolling out indigenous tech solutions in partnership with TCS and Tejas Networks, and is preparing for an eventual 5G launch in select enterprise and rural markets.
- Collaborations: Recent MoUs include tie-ups with India Post to expand SIM and recharge access via 165,000 post offices and with Delaplex for distributed cloud data centers.
- Professional Training: Partnerships with Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Cisco have resulted in India’s first public sector 5G/AI/ML technology training center in Jabalpur, designed to train thousands of telecom professionals yearly.
- Service Offerings: It introduced “BiTV Premium,” aggregating over 25 OTT apps and 450 live channels into a single digital bundle for broadband users, and launched VoWiFi calling to further strengthen in-building coverage.
They are also is gearing up to tap India’s burgeoning digital payment segment with a new offering named BSNL Pay. In contrast to a separate app, the UPI-based service will be offered directly within their current Selfcare application, and therefore more accessible to the millions of subscribers. Promotional notifications within the app already hint at the upcoming feature: “Secure | Swift | Smart, directly through the their Selfcare App, powered by BHIM.”
Financial performance
For Q4 FY25, the company posted a profit of ₹280 crore, with full-year losses down by 58% to ₹2,247 crore from ₹5,370 crore in FY24. Revenues also increased to ₹20,841 crore for FY25. The government’s substantial capex support has fueled this turnaround, with over ₹47,000 crore allocated for further network upgrades and expansion into 4G/5G and enterprise solutions.
E-SIM launch, in partnership with Tata Communications, is a game changer for India’s public telecom sector—creating new opportunities for digital access, multi-device flexibility, and government client outreach. Coupled with fresh investments in 4G, rural expansion, enterprise services, and digital broadcasting, the company is firmly back in the race to provide next-generation communications for India’s rapidly digitalizing population. Startupro