In a significant boost to the district’s telecom infrastructure, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced plans to install 35 new mobile network towers across Belagavi district.
The initiative aims to improve mobile coverage and high-speed internet connectivity, particularly in rural, hilly, and forest regions where telecom services remain limited.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, BSNL Principal General Manager Vikas Jaikar said the expansion is being undertaken under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) project. The project focuses on extending reliable communication services to underserved areas that are often neglected by private telecom operators.
“Our objective is to ensure that people living in remote villages receive quality mobile and internet services. We are working towards providing better connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in the district,” Jaikar said.
According to BSNL officials, work has already commenced at seven locations, while the remaining sites are in various stages of planning and execution. Once completed, the new towers are expected to substantially improve network coverage and data speeds across the district.
Strong Existing Network
BSNL currently operates a robust telecom network in Belagavi district, which includes:
- 388 mobile towers
- Over 11,600 Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections
- More than 2 lakh mobile subscribers
- Over 1,150 enterprise customers
The company has also outlined ambitious growth plans for the coming years. BSNL aims to increase its subscriber base in the district to 10 lakh users within the next two years through enhanced network coverage, affordable plans, expansion of 4G services, and wider FTTH broadband deployment.
Focus on Infrastructure Utilisation
As part of its asset monetisation strategy, BSNL is also opening its vacant buildings and office spaces for lease. The available properties, including portions of its headquarters in Belagavi, are being offered to government departments, banks, and public sector organisations.
Belagavi Among Karnataka’s Top Performing BSNL Zones
Highlighting the region’s performance, BSNL Deputy General Manager Devendra stated that the Belagavi telecom zone, which includes both Belagavi and Vijayapura districts, continues to rank among the best-performing zones in Karnataka.
Despite competition from larger urban centres such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi, the Belagavi zone has consistently maintained the third position among the state’s eight telecom zones.
The announcement is expected to bring considerable benefits to residents, businesses, educational institutions, and government offices, while supporting the district’s ongoing digital transformation and economic growth.
