India Post And BSNL Sign MoU to Boost Mobile Connectivity in Rural Areas

In a significant move to boost rural telecom connectivity, the Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 17, 2025. The agreement, signed in New Delhi, aims to transform India's extensive postal network into last-mile service points for BSNL's mobile services.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

The partnership will leverage more than 1.65 lakh post offices—a majority of which are in rural and semi-urban areas—to provide BSNL services. Under the MoU, post offices will act as Points of Sale (PoS) for BSNL, offering:

• BSNL SIM card sales

• Mobile recharge services

• Customer onboarding

This initiative is a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide in remote and underserved regions, aligning with the "Digital India" and financial inclusion objectives.

Implementation and Pilot Success

The MoU is valid for one year and is subject to renewal based on performance. The collaboration will feature joint monitoring, monthly reconciliation, and data privacy safeguards.

A successful pilot in Assam proved the viability of the model, paving the way for a nationwide rollout. The pilot demonstrated strong public uptake, confirming the scalability of the initiative to enhance citizen access to digital infrastructure across the country.

• BSNL's Role: Provide SIM card stock, technical support, and training.

• India Post's Role: Act as a PoS and facilitate secure customer transactions.

The agreement was signed by Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal on behalf of the DoP and Shri. Deepak Garg for BSNL.