Guwahati, August 3, 2025 —
In a landmark move poised to redefine India’s industrial connectivity landscape, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) have entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy the nation’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) within the refinery sector.
The agreement was inked during the Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs held in Guwahati under the Ministry of Finance. The event brought together key officials, including the Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), CMDs of NRL and BSNL, MDs of AMTRON and NRL, and top representatives from various Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
The focus of the workshop was to drive the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as 5G CNPN, Digital Twins, AI-enabled 3D printing, AR/VR/MR, Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data Analytics. The goal: boost operational efficiency, digital innovation, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Through this MoU, BSNL and NRL will jointly initiate the deployment of a dedicated 5G CNPN within NRL’s facilities—ushering in secure, ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity for real-time industrial operations. The initiative sets a technological benchmark for the refinery industry and beyond.
The Secretary, DPE, lauded the collaboration as a model of the Government’s “Whole of Government” (WoG) approach. He emphasized its potential to modernize India’s industrial ecosystem, enable skill development, and spur job creation, particularly in the North East.
CMD NRL highlighted that 5G CNPN will dramatically enhance automation, cyber resilience, and enable cutting-edge tools such as AR/VR-based training, Digital Twin simulations, and smart IoT systems—marking a “game-changing moment” for the industry.
CMD BSNL, Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, affirmed,
“This collaboration symbolizes BSNL’s commitment to powering India’s critical sectors with world-class digital infrastructure. By launching a dedicated 5G CNPN at NRL, we’re setting the stage for a secure, efficient, and digitally intelligent Bharat.”
Echoing this, the Director (Enterprise Business), BSNL, called the initiative a “historic milestone” in the journey towards industrial digitalization under Digital India.
This partnership is expected to serve as a replicable model for other core industries, reinforcing the government’s vision of a technologically empowered, self-reliant Bharat.
