Lok Sabha Question No. 2738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Revival Status of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2738 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## REVIVAL STATUS OF BSNL

## 2738.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  revival  package  announced  for  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL), including the total funds allocated and disbursed so far;
- (b) the progress made in upgrading BSNL's infrastructure, particularly for the rollout of 4G and 5G services, the expected timeline for nationwide implementation;
- (c) the  details  of  operational  reforms  introduced  under  the  revival  plan  to  enhance  BSNL's efficiency and competitiveness in telecom sector;
- (d) whether any specific measures have been undertaken to address BSNL's financial liabilities, including debt restructuring and employees welfare, and if so, the details thereof;

(e) the  steps  taken  to  strengthen  BSNL's  role  in  providing  affordable  and  reliable  telecom services in rural and underserved areas and the outcomes achieved till date; and

(f) whether the Government is exploring or implementing strategies to ensure BSNL's long term financial sustainability and competitiveness against private operators, and if so, the details of such strategies?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

( a ) to ( f ) The  Cabinet  on  23.10.2019,  27.07.2022  and  07.06.2023  approved  the  revival packages to BSNL and MTNL. The revival packages mainly focussed on rationalization of employee cost through Voluntary Retirement  Scheme  (VRS)  supported  by budgetary allocation by Government of India for Ex-Gratia, debt restructuring by raising of Sovereign Guarantee Bonds, infusing fresh capital for upgrading BSNL services, administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G/5G services, monetisation of assets and viability gap funding for rural telephony etc. As a result of the revival measures and BSNL ' s strategy and services, BSNL has brought down its operating costs and started earning operating profit from 2020 -21 .

The total funds allotted under revival package is Rs. 2,28,166.96 Cr., while the fund disbursed is Rs. 1,33,581.08 Cr.

In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously developed one lakh 4G sites for pan India deployment . Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 06 . 12 . 2024, total 61,492 4G sites have been installed and 51,135 sites are ON -Air . The 4G equipment is 5G upgradable .

To improve the telecom connectivity in uncovered rural and remote areas, Government is implementing various projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi ( erstwhile USOF ). Such projects awarded to BSNL include 4G Saturation, Border Out Posts ( BOP )/ Border Intelligence Posts ( BIP ) , Left Wing Extremism ( Phase -I ) upgradation and  augmentation  of  telecom  infrastructure  in  Lakshadweep Islands  etc . Further,  Amended  Bharatnet  program  has  been  approved  by  the  Union  Cabinet  on 04.08.2023 with an outlay  of  Rs.  1.39  Lakh  Crores  to  extend  fiber  to  all  Gram  Panchayats  and villages  on  demand  basis,  including  provisions  for  1.5  Crores  high  speed  FTTH  broadband connections in rural areas. BSNL is the Project Management Agency for this scheme.

*****