Lok Sabha Question No. 61 (STARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Subscribers of BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 61 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th  FEBRUARY, 2018

## SUBSCRIBERS OF BSNL AND MTNL

- †*61. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any new scheme to increase the number of subscribers of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  and  to  enable  these  companies  to  have  a  professional competition with private telephone companies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government is considering to provide any funds for the purpose and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Contd………2/-

STATEMENT  TO  BE  LAID  ON  THE  TABLE  OF  LOK  SABHA  IN  RESPECT  OF PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *61  FOR  7 TH FEBRUARY, 2018 ON 'SUBSCRIBERS OF BSNL AND MTNL'.

- (a) Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  and  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam Limited (MTNL) are independent CPSEs (Central Public Sector Enterprises) which have their  own  Board.  BSNL  and  MTNL  are  taking  various  steps  towards  increasing  their customer  base  and  to  have  a  professional  competition  with  private  companies  as detailed at Annexure-I.
- (b)      Government  has  assigned  various  works/projects  to  BSNL  and  MTNL  on nomination basis.  The details of such works is at Annexure-II.

Contd……..3/-

## Steps taken by BSNL to increase its customer base:

1.  Augmentation of GSM Mobile network capacity-

Phase VIII : Formulation of next GSM expansion project

- a)   PhaseVIII.1: Induction and integration of Wi-Fi Hotspot /LTE (4G) with existing GSM / UMTS network.
- b)   Phase VIII.2:  Strengthening  of  Data  Network  has  been  done  and  sufficient IPs are available to support the data network.
- c)   Phase VIII.3 Intra circle roaming testing has been launched for M/s Aircel a seeker in Rajasthan Telecom circle and the testing has been initiated in other circles  of  BSNL.  The  Inter  circle  Roaming  with  M/s  Vodafone  in  Delhi  for 'BSNL as a Seeker'  is  working  fine  to  provide  roaming  options  to  BSNL's pre-paid  customers.  Inter  circle  Roaming  has  also  been  launched  with  M/s Vodafone  in MP & CG Circles for Vodafone as a seeker.
- d)   Phase-VIII.4: GSM expansion project named Phase VIII.4 has been finalised for the following:
- Replacement of old equipment having high operational cost & AMC.
- Addition of 3G capacity for increasing 3G footprint.
- Introduction of 4G services.
- The  project  is  presently  envisaged  to  provide  about  20881  2G  BTSs, 22517, 3G Node Bs and 10000 4G E-Node Bs.

For  West  and  South  zone,  project  is  likely  to  be  completed  by  December, 2018 and for North and East zone by March, 2019.

2.  Replacement  of  legacy  Wireline  exchanges  by  Next  Generation  Network (NGN) Switches:-
- Phase I:  Total  capacity  of  1  million  line  equipment  has  been  commissioned  in Phase  -I  class-5  based  New  Generation  Network  (NGN).  Implementation  of phase-II of 3 million line equipment is in progress.  The project is expected to be completed by March, 2018.
- With migration to Next Generation Network (NGN) system, the customer will get better  communication  and  Enhanced  Value  Added  Services  like  Personalized Ring Back Tone, Multi Media Video Conferencing and IP Centrex etc.
3. Augmentation of  Broadband network for  meeting data  growth:  BSNL has commissioned Multiprotocol Label Switching - Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) based Next Generation Packet Aggregation Network (MNG-PAN).
4. Setup  of  Network  Monitoring  system  (NMS)  for  Wire-line,  Wireless  and Broadband network : Purchase Order (PO) for the procurement and implementation  of  Broadband  Network  Management  System  covering  BB  P2.2, Multiplayand Fiber to the  Home  (FTTH)  Networks  has  been  placed.  The equipment is in advanced stage of commissioning.
5. Roll-out  of  Wi-Fi  Service :   BSNL has so far installed and radiated 17320 Wi-Fi Hotspots under various Wi-Fi Hotspot projects.

Contd………4/-

## Annexure-I

## 6 .   BSNL-ECR CONE (Enhanced Capacity & resilience of Core Network ):

-  Expansion  of  Provider  Edge  (PE)  Network  of  BSNL:  Out  of  planned  232  PE Routers, BSNL has commissioned 232 PE Routers along with their integration with Core Routers. This has resulted in the expansion of IPMPLS Network from 106 cities to 205 cities providing connectivity for broadband, NGN, 2G/ 3G requirements apart from increased connectivity to enterprise customer.
-  In respect of creation of a Super Express Highway across the country and Super Express  Transport  Network  with  200  Gbps  (Gigabits  per  second)  line  capacity connecting 47 state Capitals and important cities. The work in 45 cities has already been  completed.  Installation  and  commissioning  of  Optical  Transport  Network (OTN) equipment has been completed in two cities Silliguri and Guwahati.
-  For procurement of Converged Packet Access Network (CPAN), Purchase Order (PO) has been issued. Supply in respect of B1 & B2 switch has been completed and A1 and A2 switch is in progress.

## 7.Customer Centric Initiatives:

-  BSNL  has  focused  on  customer  care  services  by  installing  exclusive  call centres for GSM services, Wire- line and Broadband services.
-  Unlimited free night calling from landline to any network between 2230 Hrs to 0600 Hrs in India to its landline customers.
-  BSNL introduced unlimited free  calling  during  day  &  night  on  all  Sundays  on pan-India (except HP Circle) to its landline customers.
-  Minimum 512 Kbps broadband speed upgraded to 2 Mbps.
-  The new plan 'Experience LL 49' which also allows free calling facility during night hours from Monday to Saturday of the week and 24 hours free calling on Sunday.  The  scheme  has  been  extended  in  all  circles  (except  J&K,  NE-I  & NE-II) & is applicable up to 31.03.2018.
-  BSNL  has  waived  off  installation  charges  for  New  Landline.    The  same  is applicable up to 17.07.2018.
-  BSNL  has  introduced  new  LL  Plan  'LL-299'  with  Fixed  Monthly  Charges (FMC) Rs.299. In this plan, 250 free calls are allowed to any network within India.
-  BSNL  has  revised  the  existing  landline  plans  w.e.f.  01.08.2017  &  now customer will get free calls on BSNL Network equal to FMC.
-  BSNL has introduced new annual landline tariff plans 'LL 1200' and 'LL 1500' which allows free calling facility during night hours from Monday to Saturday of the week and 24 hours free calling on Sunday. The tariff plans are applicable w.e.f. 01.12.2017 up to 28.02.2018.
-  BSNL  has  introduced  Virtual  landline  Connection  under  plan  'ASEEM'  in which customer can get a Virtual Landline number and get diverted all calls received on that number to a mobile number of his/her choice. This plan can also be provided in Technically Not Feasible (TNF) areas.
-  BSNL  has  introduced  replacement  of  Instrument  Free  of  cost  for  existing customers, who have paid last six months bill for Landline/Combo connection with  total  amount  of  Rs.3600/-  or  above  and  having  Landline  for  last  three years.

Contd……5/-

-  BSNL  Landline  may  be  booked  through  Facebook/Twitter.  One  month  Fixed Monthly Charge on landline booked through Facebook/Twitter is being waived off. The scheme is applicable for one year w.e.f. 30.10.2017.
-  Rs 249 unlimited Broadband plan (upto 2 Mbps till 1 GB & up to 1Mbps beyond).
-  Introduction of a scheme to waive off Installation charges for new Landline/Digital Subscriber Line/Fiber to the Home connections (voice/ Broadband/combo) in all the Circles, for a period of One Year-w.e.f. 18-07-2017.
-  Introduction  of  a  scheme  for  sale  of  Asynchronous  Digital  Subscriber  Line (ADSL) Wi-Fi Modem @ Rs. 1500/- with 100% Cash back @ Rs. 50/- per month for  maximum  30  month  or  till  the  Broadband  connection  remain  active  to  the Broadband  customers  who  subscribe  under  any  Broadband  plan  with  Fixed Monthly Charge (FMC) Rs.675/- & above.
-  Introduction  of  new  Broadband  plan  'BBG  Combo  UL  599'  with  'Flat  2  Mbps Speed' and reformulation of certain pan-India DSL Broadband plans, which are currently being offered to the customers in pan-India basis - w.e.f. 10-07-2017.
-  Tariff  Plan  for  2Mbps  FTTH/ILL  Backhaul  @  Rs.  17820/-  for  Wi-Fi  Hotspots under Universal Service Obligation Fund  (USOF)  in  all the circles-w.e.f. 20-07-2017.
-  Reformulation of Broadband plans; offering 'Upto 10 Mbps' & Upto 8 Mbps' initial download  speed  (subject  to  technical  feasibility)  across  all  the  DSL/FTTH Broadband plans [pan-India (except A&N circle)] with FMC ≥ Rs. 675/- & FMC < Rs.675 respectively, on pan-India basis-w.e.f. 01-11-2017.
-  BSNL has introduced unlimited local / STD BSNL to BSNL with 300 Mb data for only Rs.99 with validity of 28 days for its prepaid mobile customers in Kolkata Telecom District, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Gujarat, MP, Chhattisgarh,  and  Maharashtra  &  Rajasthan.  In  other  circles,  it  varies  from Rs.119 to Rs. 149.
-  BSNL has introduced Special Tariff Voucher (STV) of Rs 339 for 28 days with unlimited Local/STD BSNL to BSNL + Local /STD BSNL to others + Unlimited data (With FUP (Fair Usage Policy) of 2GB /day with no speed restriction and thereafter with speed restriction of 80 KBPS).
-  BSNL has introduced new STV plan 'BSNL CHAUKKA'   '444' Unlimited data (Speed reduced to 80 Kbps after 4GB/day) offer under prepaid mobile service.
-  BSNL has  introduced    new  plan  'BSNL  SIXER'  '666'    Unlimited  data  (Speed reduced to 80 Kbps after 2GB/day) & Unlimited  free voice (Local/STD)  for 60 days  any  net  in  Home  Public  Land  Mobile  Network  (HPLMN)  under  prepaid mobile service.
-  BSNL  has  introduced  the  new  plan  of  Rs.429  only  which  is  giving  free  voice (Local /STD) on any network and 90 GB data @ 1GB per day) for 81 days  on pan-India basis ( except Kerala Circle).

## 8. Twitter Seva:

-  BSNL has devised an efficient customer centric social media redressal program that has helped its customers to raise their grievances for efficient resolutions.
-  Until now, BSNL has received 71,314 grievances on the Twitter Seva platform and resolved 71,145 grievances with a resolution rate of 99.76%.

Contd…..6/-

## Measures taken by MTNL to increase its customer base:

MTNL has taken following steps to improve its network capabilities, provide better quality of service to its customers and improve market share.

-  Expansion of GSM / 3G Radio Frequency (RF) network in MTNL Delhi: MTNL is  in  the  process of expansion of 3G mobile network by adding 1080 nos. of 3G sites,  800  nos.  of  hybrid  microwave  to  meet  the  backhaul  capacity  and  data handling capacity to 10 Gbps.
-  Upgradation  /  replacement  of  3G  RF  network  in  MTNL  Delhi: MTNL  is upgrading the existing 3G network (720 Node-Bs) and 754 nos. of existing 8Mbps Microwave Hops to 400 Mbps capacity to improve network capabilities and provide better speed.
-  3G  Network  Up-gradation  in  Mumbai: MTNL  is  upgrading  the  existing  3G network (720 Node-Bs) and 497 nos. of existing 8Mbps Microwave Hops to 400 Mbps capacity to improve network capabilities and provide better speed.
-  Redeployment of DSLAMs (Digital Subscriber Line Asynchronous Mode) of existing  Broadband  Network: MTNL  has  launched  a  special  program  to progressively  increase  the  fibre  length  by  redeploying  the  broadband  nodes (DSLAMS) near to the subscriber premises in Delhi and Mumbai thereby reducing copper  length  and  enhancing  the  quality  of  broadband  service.  186  DSLAMs  in Delhi and approx.169 in Mumbai have been redeployed thereby reducing copper length  and  enhancing  the  quality  of  Broadband  service.  This  has  improved customer experience and reduced the number of complaints.
-  Fibre  to  the  Home  (FTTH): FTTH revenue share policy was modified to make it more flexible to attract new partners with enhanced revenue share to encourage partners to rollout more connections; 10 Partners each in Delhi and Mumbai have already started operations. Active monitoring is being done to ensure achievement of the envisaged targets of the policy. Regular advisories are being issued to field units. In the calendar year 2017, total 699 connections have been provisioned in Mumbai while 188 connections were provisioned in Delhi.

##  Steps taken to further improve quality and Quantity of services:

-  Tariff of Wireless services has been rationalized significantly in view of the cut throat competition. MTNL now offers three times more data at the same price.
-  To give boost to customer experience, download speed of broadband subscribers is being upgraded to 8 Mbps progressively without any additional cost depending  upon  feasibility and  line parameters.  This year,  24,332 connections  have  been  upgraded  as  on  31.12.2017  in  Delhi  while  3,86,882 numbers have been upgraded in Mumbai.
-  Tariff  re-balancing  of  Broadband  service  has  been  done  for  giving  more competitive and attractive tariff package to the customers.
-  Training  is  being  given  to  line  staff  to  improve  maintenance  and  installation practices.
-  Refurbishing  of  20%  pillars  and  DPs  every  year,  is  planned  in  a  phased manner. 1236 Pillar and 7199 DP have been refurbished by MTNL this year as on 31.12.2017
-  To improve copper pair quality, 81,492 existing drop wires have been replaced with twisted drop wires or thermo sleeves have been put at open joints at DPs by MTNL this year, as on 31.12.2017.
-  Proactive Monitoring of Broadband Faults through radius attempt.

## Government Support to BSNL and MTNL BSNL:

-  Implementation of providing mobile connectivity in 2199 identified locations in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas at an estimated cost of Rs. 3567.58 crores on 4.6.2013.
-  Implementation  of  Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan  for  Andaman  & Nicobar  Islands  and  Lakshadweep  Islands  through  augmentation  of  satellite connectivity/bandwidth at an estimated cost of Rs. 120.49 crores on 7.11.2014.
-  Optical Fibre Cable based Network for Defence Services (NFS) Project has been given to BSNL on nomination basis at the cost of Rs.13,334 crore.
-  Laying of 2,54,813 Km. OFC to connect 1,01,792 Gram Panchayats (GPs) under BharatNet  project  out  of  which,  91,001  GPs  are  connected  with  OFC  with  the laying of 2,20,510 Kms of OFC.  For execution of BharatNet project, Government has provided Rs.5744 crore in Phase-I and earmarked Rs.6500 crore in Phase-II to BSNL.
-  Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan  for  the  North-Eastern  Region  for provision  of  mobile  services  in  uncovered  villages  in  Arunachal  Pradesh  and  two districts of Assam at estimated project cost of Rs. 1975.38 crore and implementation  of  Transmission-Media  Plan  for  North  Eastern  Region  at  an estimated cost of Rs.295.97 crore on 10.9.2014.
-  Submarine Optical Fiber Cable Project at the cost of Rs.1900 crore has been given to  BSNL  on  nomination  basis  for  providing  connectivity  to  Andaman  and  Nicobar Islands.
-  Work  of  setting  up  of  25000  Wi-Fi  Hotspots  at  Rural  Telephone  Exchanges  has been given to BSNL on nomination basis at the cost of Rs.940 crore.
-  The work of  setting  up  of  Satellite  Gateway  at  the  cost  of  Rs.54  crore  has  been given to BSNL on nomination basis.

## MTNL:

-  Refund of surrendered BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) spectrum in two service areas held by MTNL and in 6 service areas held by BSNL.  Under this head, Rs. 4533.97 crore has been refunded to MTNL through bonds and Rs. 6724.51 crore has been refunded to BSNL through budgetary resources.
-  The pension liability of MTNL staff who were absorbed from DoT, has been taken over by the Government.
-  Notional  loan  of  Rs.  1411  crore  to  BSNL  which  was  due  to  be  paid  to  the Government was waived-off.
-  Financial  support  of    Rs.  492.26  crore  has  been  given  to  MTNL  on  account  of liability arising from levy of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT).
-  Refund of Rs. 458.04 crore to MTNL and Rs. 169.16 crore to BSNL on account of surrender of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) spectrum.
-  Provision  of  High  Speed  Internet  on  FTTH  and  Wi-Fi  at  the  Hon'ble  M.Ps residences. The Project cost of about Rs 43.2 Crore was funded by DoT.

*****************