BSNL has initiated a soft launch of its Q-5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service in various regions across India. Targeting businesses and enterprises, the SIM-free wireless internet lease line is offered with plans starting at Rs. 999 per month, which provides users with internet speeds of up to 100Mbps. Additionally, a higher-tier plan with increased data speeds will be available. The pilot phase of the BSNL 5G FWA service is set to commence in September 2025, initially covering Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Pune, and several other cities.
BSNL 5G FWA Plans in India
According to a press release from the telecom operator, the 5G FWA service features a production-grade design that eliminates the need for a physical SIM card. This innovative service employs a direct-to-device platform where Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) can automatically authenticate, streamlining the setup process.
The plans for BSNL’s 5G FWA service will begin at Rs. 999 per month for a 100Mbps connection. An alternative plan priced at Rs. 1,499 offers a bandwidth of 300Mbps. The pilot program is scheduled to launch in cities including Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Pondicherry, Pune, and Visakhapatnam starting September 2025.
BSNL claims that the service is built on a fully indigenous technology stack, integrating the core, Radio Access Network (RAN), and CPE through local vendors. Launched at BSNL’s Ameerpet Exchange in Hyderabad, initial tests have demonstrated impressive results, with download speeds reaching 980Mbps and upload speeds at 140Mbps, along with a latency of just 10ms. This performance aims to support high-definition streaming, remote working, and cloud gaming effectively.
The FWA service features a self-installing gateway that is compatible with existing tower infrastructures. This approach is designed to enable swifter deployment compared to traditional broadband installation processes that typically involve trenching or fibre installation.
Moreover, the indigenous 5G standalone (SA) core developed for the FWA service presents opportunities for enterprise solutions such as network splicing and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This aspect of the service is particularly focused on benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as smart-manufacturing clusters.
