BSNL’s New OTA And USIM Platform To Enhance Mobile Connectivity In India

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has introduced a 4G and 5G over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform, aiming to transform mobile connectivity in India. The new platform, which was introduced in Chandigarh with a disaster recovery site in Trichy, will allow subscribers to select mobile numbers and change SIM cards without regard to geography.

The newly released OTA and USIM platform is a key milestone for BSNL, providing enhanced flexibility and convenience to mobile consumers across the country. This platform, created in collaboration with Pyro Holdings, offers to redefine how customers control their mobile services by allowing seamless SIM replacements and number selections from anywhere in the country. This development is consistent with BSNL's overall network upgrading initiatives as it develops its 4G and 5G offerings.

BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi A Robert Jerard emphasised the platform's benefits, noting, "This platform will be immensely useful for customers seeking SIM replacement without geographical restrictions, assisting in the modification of SIM profiles and remote file management on SIM cards." Furthermore, it allows SIM swaps to be done anywhere in the country."

The introduction of this platform corresponds with BSNL's current initiative to expand its 4G network throughout India. According to Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, BSNL plans to deploy 80,000 4G towers by the end of October, with an additional 21,000 finished by March 2025. The company has already started selling 4G services in a few places, including Punjab, using locally manufactured network equipment.

The OTA and USIM platforms are expected to play an important part in BSNL's objective to close the digital divide and provide advanced telecommunications services to rural and remote areas.