BSNL Launches Homegrown SIM-less 5G FWA in Hyderabad, Eyes Expansion to Six More Cities by September

New ‘Quantum 5G FWA’ Platform Offers SIM-Free Gigabit Connectivity with Plans Starting at ₹99

Hyderabad, June 20, 2025 – State-run telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has officially soft launched India’s first fully indigenous SIM-less 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service, branded as ‘Quantum 5G FWA’, in Hyderabad. The operator aims to expand the pilot to six more cities by September 2025, including Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, and Chandigarh.

BSNL’s Q-5G is a big step toward the future of connectivity. The Quantum 5G FWA is India’s first SIM-free 5G connection solution. It is aimed at communities, businesses, and single-family homes. This arrangement is very different from traditional ones because it doesn’t require fiber pulls or digging. Instead, it uses BSNL’s existing tower network to send internet access directly to homes and businesses.

One of the best things about this service is that it doesn’t need a SIM card and works with 85% of Hyderabad’s homes using the existing tower grid.

Introductory Tariffs and Performance

The service is being offered at highly competitive introductory tariffs:

• ₹99 for 100 Mbps
• ₹1,499 for 300 Mbps

The platform is powered by a 5G Standalone (SA) core, ensuring enterprise-grade, SLA-backed services targeting MSMEs and smart factories.

Key Features of the Technology

• SIM-less Access: Devices auto-authenticate on BSNL’s 5G network without needing physical SIM cards, a first at national scale in India.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative: The end-to-end system — including core, RAN (Radio Access Network), and customer premises equipment — is fully designed and built by Indian vendors.
• High Performance: Trials in Hyderabad’s Ameerpet Exchange recorded download speeds up to 980 Mbps, upload speeds of 140 Mbps, and sub-10 millisecond latency.
• Self-Install Gateways: Designed for plug-and-play installation, these gateways currently cover 85% of Hyderabad households using BSNL’s existing tower infrastructure, removing the need for fiber trenching.

Strategic Vision

“This is just the beginning,” said A. Robert J. Ravi, Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL/MTNL, at the launch. “We will expand to more cities and add more features in the coming months,” he added, emphasizing the role of Indian engineering in building world-class connectivity infrastructure.

The service is expected to play a critical role in enabling UHD streaming, cloud gaming, hybrid work, and next-gen enterprise solutions, especially for digitally transforming industries and smart city initiatives.

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