Starting January 1st, the state-run telecom provider BSNL will be offering telecom services in Mumbai and Delhi. Till date, the other state-owned company MTNL is offering the telecom services in the two metro cities.
As per a report published by Business Standard, the BSNL will offer both fixed wireline and wireless services in Delhi and Mumbai. This would be on a trial basis and one would expect it to last for a minimum of 5-6 months.
Upgrading to 4G Network:
Currently, BSNL operates its telecom services across India except for the two major metro cities Delhi and Mumbai. Hereafter, the BSNL will run both fixedline and wireless networks across India. BSNL has already identified 49,300 sites and upgraded them to 4G network.
By mid-2021, the BSNL 4G services would be expanded in a phased manner. This includes more than 7,000 new sites that are exclusively allocated to MTNL covering telecom circles.
As we all know that the Government of India is planning to merge both BSNL and MTNL. In such a scenario, the MTNL will function as a virtual network operator for BSNL. Leaving the issue of 8 per cent license fee, everything has been sorted out.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) should work towards maximizing the potential benefit instead of increasing the expenditure in the form of Virtual Network Operator (VNO) proposal.
Mandatory Usage of BSNL in Government Departments:
Recently, the Government has made it mandatory to use state-run telecom network BSNL and MTNL in all the government departments including ministries, central Public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies under Central Govt.
It’s not just limited to fixedline wired connections. For all internet, broadband, landline, and wireless network, the BSNL and MTNL should be the first stop.
Undoubtedly, this is a BIG step meant for BSNL’s revival. As per the latest data supplied TRAI, the BSNL and MTNL have a market share of just 10.65% in the wireless segment.
In the wireline market, the BSNL and MTNL combo has got 55.18% market share as on 31st August 2020.
Also Read: BSNL Rolls Out New Postpaid Plans with Data Rollover (Starting ₹199)
