Stop giving lip-service – ensure immediate roll out of BSNL’s 4G service..

The private telecom companies steeply increased their tariffs. Consequent to this, a large number of customers are migrating to BSNL from private companies. It is learnt that several lakhs of customers have already migrated to BSNL. Now, it is the duty of the BSNL to cater to the needs of these customers. BSNL’s tariffs are certainly cheaper. But this is not sufficient. BSNL has to provide high-speed data service to the customers without further delay. Otherwise, it will be difficult for BSNL to retain the customers. It is the responsibility of BSNL Management and the government to ensure the immediate roll out of BSNL’s 4G service. In June, 2023, BSNL placed purchase order to TCS and ITI for the supply of 1 lakh 4G BTSs. Earlier, Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL had announced that BSNL’s 4G network would be commissioned by October, 2024. Thereafter, he shifted this deadline to December, 2024. In the meanwhile, Shri Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Telecom, has told the media that “major part of BSNL’s 4G roll out would be completed in this Financial Year, i.e., by March, 2025”. It means, complete roll out of BSNL’s 4G network is not going to take place even by March, 2025. It will be a big blow to BSNL if it’s 4G network roll out is not completed even by March, 2025. The government should stop giving lip-service to BSNL and should prove in practice that BSNL’s 4G network roll out is completed immediately. If necessary, the government should enable BSNL to share Vodafone Idea’s 4G network and immediately provide 4G service to it’s customers.