Once upon a time, customers waited in front of bsnl for hours to get a new mobile connection. Over the years, bsnl has become an unwanted service provider.
New Delhi: The status of bsnl, a public sector undertaking that the common man has to rely on when Jio, airtel and VI raise rates, is deplorable.
As the country moves towards 5G, bsnl is becoming a spectator as even 4G services cannot be provided to the customers.
BSNL is also unable to improve its existing service due to a lack of modern facilities. The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) is forcing bsnl to increase tariffs along with other companies.
Once upon a time, customers waited in front of bsnl for hours to get a new mobile connection. Over the years, bsnl has become an unwanted service provider.
BSNL, which had a net profit of Rs 10,000 crore in 2006, was crushed by the governments of the day.
Governments have been cracking down on bsnl by slashing competition by not allowing 4G spectrum, dismissing it from its role as a telecom service provider of indian Railways, and failing to pay compensation for services generated in economically unprofitable sectors, and charging Rs 18,500 crore for 3G spectrum.
At present, bsnl has a debt of Rs 20,000 crore. If bsnl is to make a profit, it will need another Rs 10,000 crore.
In short, bsnl can only be made profitable and run with modern facilities if it has an amount of over Rs 50,000 crore. While all other service providers are gearing up to implement 5G, bsnl is in a position to offer even 4G services.
BSNL has 66,000 towers spread across the country. It has 1.68 lakh permanent employees and about one lakh contract employees. But 4G service has not even reached major cities in the country.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority is forcing bsnl to raise rates to help private companies. bsnl extends its services to places where private companies are reluctant.
BSNL is a company that customers need to rely on if it is to move forward with technological perfection. Due to all this, bsnl has not lost its relevance despite having a debt of Rs 20,000 crore.
