Private 5G: BSNL Cracked Two Deals

Indian operators are banking on FWA to make 5G tech monetized, but the most effort on FWA is being played by Jio. The next monetizing factor could be deployment of private 5G networks. First trial of private 5G network was done by Airtel, back in July 2022, at Bosch Automotive Electronics India Pvt Ltd's facility in Bengaluru using trial 5G spectrum allocated by the Department of Telecom (DoT). 

But private 5G network is not getting much demand from the enterprises, as many want to deploy bypassing the present telecom operators - as the companies want their own spectrum and will bring their own technology partner to deploy private 5G. Even if the business sector starts working with the telcos, the spectrum will be another issue. 

It should be noted that in the 2022 auction, Adani Enterprises picked up spectrum in the mmWave band i.e. 26 GHz band only, and that too only in key 6 circles - Andra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Mumbai, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu where industrialization is in massive scale and the scope of private 5G would be huge. But so far Adani Data Networks did not launch any private 5G networks and finally sold its entire 400MHz of spectrum on 26GHz band to Bharti Airtel in April 2025. 

RK Bhatnagar, director general, Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (Voice) pointed out that private 5G can unlock new revenue stream for the telcos by enabling enterprise digital transformation across industries. From mining, ports, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, healthcare, logistics, smart cities, agriculture, the possibilities of private 5G is truly limitless. But deploying private 5G face significantly more complex and heterogeneous requirements compared to traditional telco-driven consumer 5G networks. Enterprises also want to own their data with full control of their security policies and network operations.

However government backed BSNL, who brought 4G almost 10 years late compared to Airtel and Jio, is working with multiple government entities to launch private 5G. BSNL has been using indigenous 4G tech backed by Tata Consultancy Services, Tejas Networks and C-DoT. The 4G-LTE network of BSNL is 5G-ready and testing 5G services simultaneously and rolled out a 5G network-as-a-service (NaaS) initiative. There are several companies, including some start ups are working with BSNL on this. (details here)

In Aprill 2025 ET reported that Coal India launched a private 5G network using BSNL's spectrum on 3500MHz using Core application of Ireland based Druid Software and radio equipment of Mumbai based Tidal Wave Tech. Tidal Wave provided solution for a private 5G network for enhanced connectivity and communication using data, voice and video with mission critical communications (MCX), 5G drones, cameras and sensors with benefits like improved safety, remote operations, and real-time data analytics. This private 5G network includes vehicle tracking systems, fuel management, and environment sensors at multiple Coal India locations in Gujarat, Maharashtra, as well as Amlohri, Dhanbad and Ranchi.

On early August 2025, BSNL and Numaligarh Refinery signed a MOU to deploy private 5G network at CPSE workshop in Guwahati. Numaligarh Refinery (NRL), a subsidiary of Oil India Ltd and a Schedule ‘A’ Miniratna-I CPSE, is a public sector oil refinery under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, located at Morangi, Golaghat district Assam. It would be the country's first 5G captive non-public network in refinery sector, marking a pioneering step towards deploying indigenous 5G infrastructure for mission-critical industrial operations. This secure and ultra-reliable network will support real-time applications, advanced monitoring, and automation.

Calling it a “game-changing moment” for India’s refinery sector, Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD NRL stated that the integration of 5G CNPN will enhance operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and facilitate technologies like AR/VR-based workforce training, Digital Twins, and real-time IoT solutions. 

So far we did not see any traction on Jio or Airtel's turfs regarding private 5G - but they are not sitting idle. Both industry leaders are working on private 5G. Jio has its pre-packaged, automated 'Hyperlite 5G' solution for enterprises to start private 5G easily. Jio is probably deployed private 5G in Reliance Industries' premises in Jamnagar where RIL has world's largest oil refining and petrochemicals complex. But details is not disclosed by Jio. Jio also showcased network slicing on its 5G-SA (standalone) network, to prove they can bring private 5G in short period. 

Not only that Jio is making its own 5G small cells and radio units in a plant near Chennai in collaboration with Sanmina Corp. That's also cutting down hardware cost to the users. Radisys, a subsidiary of RIL is also actively working with this project. It should be noted that Jio had initially deployed products from Ericsson and Nokia but is now shifting to in-house solution to reduce capital expenditure as well as to have a better control on the network. 

Airtel, as I already told, conducted country's first private 5G trial, is also working on private 5G as a solution to Industry 4.0. Airtel private 5G solution is ready to drive innovation, automation, and smarter decisions in the era of Industry 4.0. Airtel Business told to press they are experiencing strong demand for private 5G services among its enterprise clients. However same as Jio, we are yet to see any details where Airtel Private 5G is deployed or being deployed.