According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report, state-owned telecom company BSNL incurred a loss of Rs 1,757.76 crore due to financial lapses in its Master Service Agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL). These lapses include BSNL's failure to enforce contractual terms, leading to revenue shortages and loss of potential interest. The report also highlights additional losses incurred by BSNL due to inefficient planning and procurement, resulting in unnecessary expenditure and non-realization of tax credits.
BSNL has launched a special recharge plan aimed at IPL fans, offering a whopping 251GB of high-speed data for just Rs 251. This plan is perfect for those looking to stream cricket matches without any worry of data expenses. However, users should note that the plan only offers data benefits and separate recharges are needed for calling and SMS services. This limited-time offer is available through BSNL's official website and Self Care App.
As BSNL continues to lose subscribers due to recent tariff hikes, the state-run telecom operator has launched a new recharge plan to retain its users. Priced at Rs 750 and valid for six months, the plan offers 1GB of daily data, unlimited calling, and 100 SMS per day. This move comes after over 71,000 SIM cards were blocked in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for being acquired through fraudulent means and used for scams. BSNL's new offering aims to discourage users from switching to other networks by providing a competitive plan exclusively for select customers.
BSNL, India's state-owned telecom company, has set a target to set up 1 lakh new 4G mobile towers by mid-2025. However, their recent announcement of operational 4G service in 75,000 locations comes at a time when they are facing challenges in retaining customers. Despite efforts to improve network reliability and introduce new plans, BSNL has seen a decline in subscribers, leading to a loss of 3,22,000 customers in December 2024. With competition in the telecom industry increasing, BSNL's future growth and success will depend on its ability to retain customers.
The latest report from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) shows that Reliance Jio added 3.9 million wireless subscribers in December 2024, solidifying its position as the dominant player in the Indian telecom market. Meanwhile, Vi and BSNL faced significant subscriber losses, with Vi losing 1.715 million subscribers and BSNL losing 0.322 million subscribers in the same period. In other news, Bharti Airtel has announced a partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX to offer Starlink's high-speed internet services to customers in India, pending necessary approvals.
With the government's push for modernization, BSNL is speeding up the deployment of its 5G network, alongside its ongoing 4G upgrades. Foreign suppliers are now being considered for 5G equipment through a $2 billion bidding process. Despite their focus on domestic technology, BSNL believes that government participation is crucial for a faster rollout of their 5G services. Tejas Networks, C-DOT, and TCS are among the companies providing equipment for BSNL's 4G services.
ITI Ltd, one of India's leading telecom manufacturing companies, has been chosen as the L1 bidder for the prestigious Rs 3,022 crore BharatNet Phase-3 Project by the government. The company has been awarded contracts for Package No. 8 in Himachal Pradesh and Package No. 9 in West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This marks a major milestone for ITI Ltd and its consortium as they have emerged victorious in two out of the 11 packages tendered by BSNL so far. The BharatNet project aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity to all gram panchayats in the country.
BSNL, India's state-owned telecom company, launched a range of new services including national Wi-Fi roaming, fiber-based intranet TV, direct-to-device connectivity, and a spam-blocking solution. The company is also offering its Fiber To The House customers free high-speed internet access at its hotspots. BSNL has also announced plans to launch 5G services and has successfully conducted trials for a 5G radio access network. However, there are concerns about the risk of negatively affecting legitimate calls and the potential for completely blocking them out with the company's spam-blocking solution.
The Minister of Communication, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, unveiled the new logo of state-run telecom BSNL, which represents the company's mission to connect India securely, affordably, and reliably. Along with the new logo, BSNL also launched seven new initiatives, including automatic spam blocking, free wi-fi, and low-latency 5G, all designed to cater to the needs of the Indian population. This event marks BSNL's commitment to connecting every citizen of Bharat and empowering them with advanced communication services.
Bharti Enterprises, led by Aditi Khanna, has invested in BT Group, acquiring a 24.5% stake in the UK-based telecommunications company. This move is seen as a "great vote of confidence" in the growth of 5G in India, as Bharti and BT Group have previously collaborated on 5G trials. Concerns over tariff hikes and delays in 4G and 5G adoption in India have been eased with this investment. Additionally, Nokia has achieved a record 1.2 Gbps 5G speed in a trial with Airtel, while BSNL has launched a 4G and 5G-ready SIM platform. UK businesses have also reacted positively to India's Union Budget, showing strong potential for future collaborations.