State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday announced the soft launch of its 4G services in the national capital, giving subscribers access to high-speed mobile internet on compatible devices.

According to a PTI report, the services are being introduced under a “4G-as-a-service” model through a partner’s network access arrangement that enables last-mile radio coverage for users carrying BSNL SIMs. This stop-gap arrangement has been put in place even as the company continues to expand its indigenous 4G network rollout across the country.

With this launch, new customers in Delhi will be able to access BSNL’s 4G services immediately. SIM cards and eKYC facilities are available at BSNL and MTNL customer service centres as well as authorised retailers. “Starting today, new BSNL customers in Delhi can switch on dependable BSNL 4G for voice and high-speed data. We’re using the 4G-as-a-service model to ensure citywide coverage immediately, while building in parallel our own indigenous network,” BSNL CMD A Robert J Ravi said in a statement.

BSNL had rolled out its 4G services nationwide last year with an investment of Rs.25,000 crore, installing nearly one lakh mobile towers to power the network. IT services major TCS and a C-DoT-led consortium were awarded the bulk of the project for the supply of telecom equipment. The company has also lined up an additional Rs.47,000 crore investment to strengthen its telecom infrastructure over the next phase.

The Delhi launch marks a key milestone for BSNL as it seeks to regain ground in the highly competitive Indian telecom market, dominated by private players like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea.