In a significant move to streamline its services, state-owned telecom giant BSNL announced the nationwide launch of its internally developed mobile application, 'Sanchar Mitra'. This rollout, confirmed on Friday, marks a crucial step in restoring and enhancing the process for onboarding new customers across India.
From Sanchar Aadhaar to Swadeshi Solution
The newly introduced Sanchar Mitra application is a fully in-house product, developed by BSNL engineers from various circles. It directly replaces the previous 'Sanchar Aadhaar' app, which was created by a private third-party vendor. The older application was utilized by BSNL retailers and franchisees to perform Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification for adding new subscribers to the network.
The transition to the new app became an urgent necessity after the contract with the authorized provider of the Sanchar Aadhaar app lapsed at the end of November 2025. This expiry led to immediate and widespread disruptions in customer registration services. For a period, the issuance of both new SIM cards and replacement SIMs was severely impacted across the country.
An Emergency Development for Seamless Service
Faced with this service halt, BSNL mobilized its technical teams to create a domestic alternative. According to an official release from the company, the Sanchar Mitra app was developed internally under emergency conditions to address the gap. The development has now culminated in a full-scale rollout across all Indian states, including Karnataka.
BSNL has emphasized the indigenous nature of this solution. The release highlighted that this 'Swadeshi app' is instrumental in delivering better and faster service to customers. By bringing the development and control of this critical onboarding tool in-house, BSNL aims to ensure greater reliability and eliminate future dependencies on external vendors.
Restoring Normalcy and Looking Ahead
The nationwide deployment of Sanchar Mitra effectively ends the temporary paralysis in BSNL's new customer acquisition and SIM management services. Retailers and franchisees can now resume digital customer verification processes seamlessly. This move is seen as a key part of BSNL's broader efforts to modernize its operations and improve the customer experience in a competitive telecom market.
The successful internal development and swift rollout also demonstrate BSNL's technical capabilities and its commitment to the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative. With Sanchar Mitra now active, the telecom operator expects a significant reduction in onboarding delays and a more streamlined service journey for millions of its users.
