BSNL will not hike tariffs in near future; private 5G a big focus area, says CMD

BSNL has already started offering 4G services in test mode and is focusing on ensuring customer satisfaction. A full-fledged commercial launch is expected this calendar year

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has ruled out increasing tariffs in the near future and is confident of growing its subscriber base in the country following tariff hikes by private telecom operators.

"We can clearly say we are not going to increase our tariffs. We don't see any need for tariff hikes in the near future," Robert Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), said at the sidelines of the telco's new logo unveiling in New Delhi.

BSNL was the only telecom company that did not raise its tariffs in June, while larger competitors Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea increased their prices by 10 percent to 21 percent. Additionally, Jio and Airtel began charging for 5G services on unlimited usage plans, marking the start of 5G monetization in India.

Ravi said BSNL has already started offering 4G services in test mode, focusing on ensuring customer satisfaction. A full-fledged commercial launch is expected this calendar year.

According to the telecom regulator's data issued last month, BSNL gained 2.9 million mobile phone users in July while others lost subscribers. The company had 88.5 million mobile phone users, or about 7.5 percent percent of the nation’s total.

. "We are putting in all efforts, including launching new services and rolling out the 4G network," he said.

Ravi said that BSNL aims to corner 25 percent of the consumer market share in the Indian telecom industry in the next 24 months with the help of its pan-India 4G network.

BSNL is making efforts in the private 5G sector and aims to connect 16 industries, including mining, ports, and logistics. "We are working with various ministries and the DoT of the same. The first network is life in Maharashtra, where more than 50 mines are connected with a 5G private network by BSNL. We have already rolled out the equipment, which is developed indigenously," Ravi said, adding the telco is also working in partnership with C-DAC to power its private 5G network.

Telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal said BSNL's demand for an additional Rs 6,000 crore to acquire 4G network equipment is under consideration.

The DoT will seek Cabinet approval for this funding once it decides to support BSNL's demand.

When asked if BSNL would rip off technology from Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE from its network, Mittal said the telco would follow government policy on trusted sources. He said BSNL has already provided all network-related information to the telecom department.

BSNL also launched seven new services, including its spam-free network.

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia BSNL will have 100,000 4G sites by the middle of next year and graduate some sites to 5G by then. The telco will begin with 4G and go on to a 4G saturation project along with the Bharat Net rollout to cater to the entire country. "BSNL has come up with its own 4G telecom stack, which can be migrated to 5G. Our hope is that BSNL will always be at the forefront of tech innovation," he said.

"BSNL has been a flagship enterprise of the government, representing the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of every citizen in our country," said Scindia while unveiling the new services and logo of BSNL. He highlighted that BSNL has consistently served the interests of the people and achieved various milestones over the years. Scindia expressed confidence that as the landscape has become more competitive and consolidated, BSNL will rise to meet new challenges.