Start here
Use the APN as a controlled test, not a guess
This guide focuses on the BSNL profile for India. BSNL operates both 3G and 4G networks, and the APN value differs depending on your circle and device configuration.
If your phone already has a carrier profile, compare it first. A duplicate APN can make Android select the wrong profile, while iPhone may hide the APN menu completely when carrier settings control it.
APN fields
BSNL India APN starting point
| Field | Value | Use this note |
|---|---|---|
| Name (Internet) | BSNL Internet | This is only a label inside your phone. |
| APN | bsnlnet | Main value to test first. Some circles may use portalnmms for MMS. |
| APN type | default,supl | Use only if the field exists and the phone accepts it. |
| Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 or device default | Keep the device default when unsure. |
| Username and password | Blank | BSNL does not require a username or password for most plans. |
| MCC | 404 | Verify with your SIM card info. |
| MNC | Varies by circle | BSNL MNC varies (00, 01, 07, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90). Leave as read from SIM. |
| MMSC | http://mmsc.bsnl.co.in/ | For MMS configuration. |
| MMS proxy | 10.10.10.10:8080 or blank | Fill only if MMS does not work with defaults. |
BSNL India uses circle-specific MNC values. Your phone reads the correct MNC from the SIM automatically. Do not change it manually.
Setup
Setup steps
- Open the mobile network settings and find Access Point Names or Cellular Data Network.
- Create or edit the BSNL profile and enter the APN value exactly as shown.
- Save the profile, select it if your phone asks, then disable WiFi for the test.
- Toggle airplane mode for ten seconds and open a browser before testing apps or hotspot.
Guide
Full setup and troubleshooting notes
Before changing the APN
Use this page when a BSNL SIM is active but mobile data does not browse, apps stay offline, hotspot sharing fails, or the phone lost its profile after a network reset. The first rule is to make the smallest useful change. An APN profile controls how the phone reaches the packet data gateway, but many fields are filled by the SIM, the operating system, or the carrier profile already stored on the device. Editing every field at once can make a simple problem harder to diagnose.
For BSNL India, start with a readable profile name and the APN value shown below: `bsnlnet`. BSNL uses this APN for most consumer data plans. If your SIM pack, account screen, device configuration SMS, or carrier support channel gives a different value for your exact plan, use that plan-specific value. Prepaid, postpaid, reseller, roaming and data-only SIMs can behave differently even when the carrier name looks the same.
BSNL operates 4G LTE in select circles and 3G in many areas. 5G rollout is in early stages. The same APN `bsnlnet` works across 3G and 4G.
Alternative APN values
If `bsnlnet` does not work on your device, some plans also accept: - `portalnmms` — for MMS or combined data/MMS on some circles - `bsnlnetcell` — used in some legacy configurations
Getting APN settings automatically from BSNL
BSNL can send APN settings directly to your phone. Send an SMS with your device model name and brand to 58355 from your BSNL SIM. You will receive a configuration message that sets the APN automatically.
What to enter first
The practical setup for BSNL India is intentionally short. Set the profile name to something you will recognize later, enter `bsnlnet` in the APN field, save the profile and select it. Leave username, password, proxy, port, server, MMSC, MMS proxy and MMS port empty unless your device already contains a value or your carrier has provided one for your plan. If MCC and MNC are visible, do not rewrite them by hand unless the phone refuses to save the APN without them.
On Android, the menu is usually Settings, Network and Internet, SIMs, Access Point Names. Samsung and other vendors may call the same area Connections, Mobile networks, Access Point Names. On iPhone, open Settings, Cellular or Mobile Data, Cellular Data Network. Some iPhones hide APN editing when the carrier profile controls it; in that case a carrier settings update or an SMS configuration may be needed instead of manual editing.
Testing your connection
After saving the APN, disable WiFi and toggle airplane mode on for ten seconds. Open a browser and load a simple page. If it loads, test messaging, streaming, and hotspot one at a time. If it does not load, the problem may not be the APN: check signal strength, SIM status, and data plan balance.
Before calling support
Final checks if the APN does not work
- Confirm that the SIM is the selected data line on dual-SIM phones.
- Check that the data plan is active and not blocked by a spending cap.
- Remove duplicate APNs only after recording the original values.
- Test outside or near a window to separate APN problems from weak signal.
- Pause VPN, private DNS or device management for one controlled test.
Questions
BSNL India APN questions
Should I change every BSNL APN field?
No. Change the APN value first and keep hidden network fields on their current defaults unless your carrier gives exact values for your plan.
Does BSNL support 4G and 5G?
BSNL operates 4G LTE in select circles with ongoing expansion. 5G trials are underway but not yet widely available. Use bsnlnet for both 3G and 4G.
Why does data still fail after saving the BSNL APN?
The line may not have active data service, the wrong SIM may be selected, signal may be weak, roaming may be blocked, or the device may be using VPN or private DNS settings.
Can I use the same BSNL APN for hotspot?
Often yes, but test regular mobile data first. On iPhone, hotspot may have a separate APN field only when the carrier allows manual editing.
What are the BSNL MMS settings?
MMSC is http://mmsc.bsnl.co.in/, APN type set to mms. On Android create a separate MMS APN; on iPhone fill the MMS fields in Cellular Data Network.
Editorial notes
Review notes
We focus on safe device paths, carrier-specific caution and practical troubleshooting.
Next
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