The Parliamentary Committee has expressed frustration over the declining subscriber base and service quality of state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) during a meeting held on Monday. Several committee members shared personal experiences of inadequate service from their BSNL mobiles, echoing concerns of poor connectivity and reliability across the network.
During the briefing to the Estimates Committee, senior officials from BSNL assured the committee that substantial service improvements would be implemented within the next six months. As part of the plan, BSNL aims to upgrade nearly 100,000 mobile towers to 4G technology, significantly enhancing the current infrastructure of 24,000 towers. This expansion aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, as BSNL is relying on indigenous technology for this upgrade.
The meeting was attended by Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal and BSNL’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), who discussed the company’s 4G and 5G services. One of the primary concerns raised by the committee was the shrinking market share of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which has dropped to approximately 7%, as customers increasingly opt for private operators. This shift has resulted in a decline in subscriber numbers.
A Bold Target for Tower Upgrades
Despite these challenges, BSNL’s officials confidently reported that around 54,000 towers are already prepared to be equipped with 4G technology, with plans to reach the 100,000 towers target within the specified timeframe. Additionally, they emphasized that the infrastructure is capable of supporting 5G services when needed, signaling BSNL’s readiness for the future.
In related news, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a warning to users regarding suspicious calls and messages about number verification. Several BSNL users have reported receiving calls that claim to be from TRAI, threatening to deactivate their numbers unless they re-verify. TRAI has clarified that it never asks for number verification via phone calls or messages and has urged users to be cautious. Any suspicious communication should be reported immediately to the Sanchar Sathi Chakshu portal. In case of fraud, users are advised to contact 1930 for immediate assistance.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's largest public sector telecommunications company, has a history deeply intertwined with the nation's telecommunications infrastructure.
British Era: The roots of BSNL can be traced back to the British colonial era. The British East India Company established the first telegraph lines in India in the 19th century.
Post-Independence: After India gained independence, the government took over the telecommunications infrastructure. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) was formed to manage and expand these services.
Corporatization: In 2000, the DoT was corporatized into BSNL. The aim was to make the telecommunications sector more efficient and competitive.
National Coverage: BSNL inherited a vast network of landline telephones, long-distance connections, and other telecommunications services across India.
Competition: The liberalization of the Indian telecommunications market in the late 1990s introduced private players, leading to increased competition for BSNL.
Technological Advancements: BSNL faced the challenge of adapting to rapid technological advancements, such as the rise of mobile phones and broadband internet.
Financial Pressures: The company faced financial difficulties due to factors like spectrum costs and competition.
Revival Efforts: In recent years, BSNL has implemented various measures to revive its fortunes, including cost-cutting, network modernization, and focusing on niche markets.
Government Support: The Indian government has provided financial support and policy measures to strengthen BSNL's position.
Today, BSNL continues to play a significant role in India's telecommunications landscape, providing services to millions of customers across the country. While it faces challenges from private competitors, the company's deep-rooted presence and government support offer it a unique advantage.
As BSNL grapples with its dwindling market share and increasing pressure from the government, its ambitious plan to install 100,000 4G towers within six months represents a crucial step in regaining consumer trust and enhancing service quality. The successful deployment of these towers will not only boost the company’s 4G offerings but also prepare the infrastructure for a future transition to 5G technology. While the road ahead may be challenging, BSNL’s commitment to indigenous technology and Aatmanirbhar Bharat could prove to be pivotal in the company's revival.