BSNL takes a distinct route to 5G FWA, diverging from Jio and Airtel

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is charting a different path in India’s fixed wireless access (FWA) market. Unlike Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber, which depend on physical SIM cards for network authentication, BSNL’s 5G FWA service operates without a SIM. Instead, it relies on device-level identification and cloud-based provisioning, enabling faster deployment and simplified activation.

Branded as BSNL Q-5G, the service is built on a different technology stack from its private-sector counterparts. Entry-level plans start at Rs 999 per month.

The service has been rolled out in select cities and circles, offering high-speed data connectivity, albeit without voice or roaming support.

How BSNL’s SIM-less FWA works
BSNL’s 5G FWA is the country’s first SIM-less FWA offering. While Jio and Airtel follow conventional cellular authentication—requiring a SIM-enabled customer premises equipment (CPE)—BSNL eliminates this dependency.

Its architecture supports direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, in which the CPE automatically authenticates using embedded device credentials linked to a cloud provisioning system. This removes the need to manufacture, distribute, insert, or activate physical SIM cards, streamlining both logistics and user onboarding.

Rollout and enterprise play
BSNL had earlier outlined plans to expand its 5G FWA footprint to cities including Bengaluru, Puducherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, and Chandigarh by September 2025.

Tariffs start at Rs 999 for 100 Mbps and Rs 1,499 for 300 Mbps. The service runs on BSNL’s 5G standalone (SA) network and is built on an indigenous technology stack.

Beyond retail users, BSNL is positioning the platform for enterprise use cases. The same 5G SA core will support network slicing and SLA-backed connectivity, targeting MSMEs and smart manufacturing clusters.

CT Bureau