BSNL Must Hit Daily 4G Targets: Telecom Minister Scindia at India Mobile Congress

New Delhi: The government will announce all the rules of the new Telecommunications Act within 180 days, said telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of India Mobile Congress, Scindia stated that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will need to meet daily targets for its 4G network rollout. He emphasized that the rules for the new Act, implemented last month, will be notified within 180 days to ensure clarity and confidence for all stakeholders.

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BSNL’s 4G rollout

On BSNL’s 4G rollout, Scindia noted that the company is using locally developed technology instead of opting for easier, foreign-made solutions. He praised BSNL’s choice to adopt Indian technology, stressing the importance of India becoming a supplier of products, not just services.

“We are on track to have 1 lakh radio access networks (RANs) in place for BSNL. We have formed a performance monitoring unit (PMU) with Tejas, BSNL, TCS, CDoT, and other players. This unit will set daily targets, monitored by the minister and telecom secretary, Neeraj Mittal,” he said. Scindia expressed pride in India’s development of its own 4G technology and urged for its adoption.

The India Mobile Congress

The India Mobile Congress will be held from October 15 to 18, organized by the government and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Discussing the ease of doing business in the telecom sector, Scindia highlighted that the government is now acting as a facilitator rather than just a regulator. He stressed that the success of the industry equates to the success of the country.

MTNL’s Daily Operations

Scindia also mentioned that MTNL’s daily operations will be handed over to BSNL, while MTNL’s assets will be monetized to pay off its liabilities. He assured that the Government of India will back the Sovereign Guarantee Bonds during this transition to avoid any defaults.

In summary, the government is committed to supporting the telecom sector, ensuring the successful implementation of the Telecommunications Act, and boosting local technology adoption in BSNL’s 4G rollout.