It emerges that Vi has probably offered good data quality despite being short on spectrum and infrastructure due to its stretched finances. Did the two companies that merged face the heat due to price wars? Probably. Did the government's tough stance in demanding its "due" share of telecom revenues hurt the company? Certainly!
BSNL, MTNL launch free night calling to win back consumers lost to mobile boom
In a bonanza to its landline subscribers in urban areas, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has reduced the registration charges for new connections in urban areas from Rs 2000 to Rs 500.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Monday reported multiple irregularities in the accounts of units under the IT and telecom ministries, including purchases of hardware and software worth Rs 890 crore by NICSI in contravention of rules. In its audit report for financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged anomalies in the decision taken by state-run telecom firm BSNL, C-DoT, the Department of Posts, ITI Limited and CDAC that had adverse financial implications. "NICSI procured hardware and software costing Rs 890.34 crore through the 'Strategic Alliance' route in contravention of General Financial Rules, 2005 and departmental instructions and thus failed to ensure transparency and competitiveness in the procurement process," according to the CAG report tabled in Lok Sabha on Monday.
Expediting the launch of its international long distance service, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam has signed an agreement on commercial and technical aspects with an overseas operator regarding exchange of traffic.
The bids were slated to be opened on December 4. WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access provides for wireless transmission of data and up to 75 Mb/sec speed. The 802.16d -- also frequently referred to as 'fixed WiMAX' has no support for mobility.
These customers will be unable to meet the lowest recharge requirements for Jio, meaning they will either exit the market or migrate to BSNL/MTNL.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will soon start negotiations with the Tata-controlled Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd to match the rates offered by other ILD operators like Data Access for routing its traffic.
At the end of Dec, the government had Rs 47,273 crore in the USO fund, with annual accruals of about Rs 6,000 crore.
The call charges for distance beyond 100 km will be Rs 1.80 per minute in place of Rs 2.40 per minute earlier, the company's Chairman Prithipal Singh said in New Delhi.
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Monday slashed international long distance tariffs by up to 70 per cent on account of the festive season, beginning October 21 mid-night to November 21.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has worked out an elaborate plan for the development of telecommunications network along the ancient silk route following the recent Sino-Indian agreement on border trade through Nathula in East Sikkim.
Even after the rejection of its financial package of Rs 23,000 crore (Rs 230 billion) by the Cabinet, BSNL on Tuesday said it was hopeful that the proposal would eventually be accepted.
Minister of State for IT and Communications Sachin Pilot would distribute 1,000 mobile handsets with BSNL connections to below poverty line families near Jaipur on Thursday, according to a BSNL official.
The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs30 lakh for the release of J Lumkim, an official said.
BSNL had earlier cancelled its tender for 5.5 million GSM lines and called for bids again after revising the guidelines, following an amendment in the licence conditions for security purposes.
Tensions between private telecom players and the government ratcheted up a notch after it was discovered that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was given additional spectrum of up to 10 MHz for GSM technology services in over 16 circles even as private competitors have been waiting to be allotted spectrum by the Department of Telecommunications since December 2006.
The government believes heightened awareness among its staff could be the only effective way to counter attempts of foreign agencies.
Union leaders say that Raja only assured the members that a fresh tender for the second phase of the contract would be issued soon, but was unwilling to commit on other aspects of their demand.
To BSNL's detriment, Raja emerges the clear loser.
India's second-largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Tuesday posted more than twofold year-on-year jump in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter to Rs 2,008 crore, buoyed by a lift in average revenue per user and an exceptional gain. The telco said its Q4 scorecard was backed by strong performance delivery across the portfolio and its CEO Gopal Vittal, in a statement, exuded optimism about opportunities in the coming years and Airtel being "well-poised" as a company. Airtel, which competes in the market with Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, as well as state-owned BSNL/MTNL, promised to maintain razor sharp focus on financial flexibility, optimising the capital structure and finance cost.
The department of telecommunications has agreed to set up a search committee to look for new chairmen and managing directors for both, as suggested by the Sam Pitroda-led committee on the organsiation's revamp.
Memories of an era gone by are all that remains for telegraphists, considered the backbone of the historic 163-year-old telegram service, which bids its final adieu.
As the nation woke up to images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi splashed across the front page of newspapers by Reliance Industries to announce the launch of its 4G services, Shiv Sena's Member of Parliament from South Mumbai, Arvind Sawant, was not impressed.
The government is likely to set up a Group of Ministers (GOM) to take a final decision on divesting stake in the telecommunications company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
Indiagames, a provider of online and mobile games, has signed a deal with Bharat Sanchar Nigam to offer its online 'games on demand' service.
The move to disinvest the public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has united all central trade unions once again and they have called an indefinite agitation from April 19 against the move.
Half the money, to be invested over the next 12 months, will be used to expand its mobile network.
India was among the top-five economies with the largest general government capital stock level, said, in 2015, an International Monetary Fund report called "Making Public Investment More Efficient". The report fuelled a debate on countries sitting on piles of cash that could be used better. India was believed to have public assets worth $4.5 trillion. The report urged countries to start asset recycling. Six years after the report, Australia's success in asset recycling has turned India into a believer; despite doing averagely in its previous efforts on roads, railways or meeting its divestment targets.
The 91-year-old was buried at a mosque near his residence according to his wishes, his close aides said.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will provide six crore new mobile telephone connections across the country within the next four years, its director (planning and new services) R L Dube said on Saturday.
