The state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced the rollout of its 4G services across the country by September of next year and will generate around INR 9 billion in revenue, said local media reports.
Minister of State for Communications in India, Devusinh Chauhan said that the Government approved a revival plan for BSNL and MTNL with the administrative allotment of spectrum for providing 4G services with funding through budgetary allocation.
“BSNL has estimated that with pan-India 4G rollout, an incremental revenue of around Rs 900 crore is expected in the first year from operations,” he said.
BSNL has already begun the necessary processes to go for a 4G tender. According to a report by PTI, BSNL invited Expression of Interest in January 2021 for Proof of Concept (PoC) for Indian firms keen on taking part in its upcoming 4G tender.
Earlier, BSNL had received approval from National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) for going ahead with the 4G up-gradation plans.
Minister also informed, as of September this year BSNL has a liability of over INR 85000 crore and MTNL has over INR 30000 crore of liabilities. However, he said, there is no proposal under consideration for disinvestment of BSNL and MTNL.
