Department of Telecommunication, Government of India issued instructions to all Central Government departments, ministries, public sector units and autonomous bodies for the mandatory utilization of telecom services provided by state run operators – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) & Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).
DoT in its letter dated 12th October 2020, addressed to secretaries of all ministries / departments of Government of India instructed for the mandatory utilization of telecom services offered by BSNL/MTNL. DoT recommended to use internet, broadband, landline and leased line service of BSNL/MTNL in all central government departments and public sector units. DoT issued these instructions in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
Official instruction from DoT addressed to secretaries of all ministries / departments of Government of India read as follows : – “The government of India has, inter-alia, approved the mandatory utilization of capacities of BSNL and MTNL by all ministries/departments of government of India/CPSEs/Central Autonomous Bodies. All Ministries/Departments are accordingly requested to issue necessary instructions including to CPSEs/Central Autonomous Organizations under their control for mandatory utilization of BSNL/MTNL network for internet, for internet/broadband, landline/leased line requirements.”
This decision to mandate the use of BSNL and MTNL telecom network was taken by the Union Cabinet. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance in it’s letter dated 4th September 2020, requested Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to issue necessary instructions to all concerned being a decision of the Cabinet and also citing that the matter has been issued in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. And based on these recommendations, DoT issued instructions on 12th October 2020 to all central government departments/ministries, CPSEs and autonomous bodies.
However, the above letter from DoT is silent about the mandatory utilization of BSNL/MTNL Mobile Services. While all other private operators are aggressively expanding their 4G network, BSNL – the one and only state run operator – was not given 4G spectrum! Even without 4G, the PSU is increasing it’s mobile customer base in every month as per recent TRAI telecom subscription data. TRAI MyCall Analytics portal report suggests that BSNL is the best Mobile Network for Voice Quality in India. We may expect similar TRAI report for Data Services also if 4G spectrum is also allotted to this state run telecom operator. We hope that Government will ensure level-playing field in telecom market by allotting 4G spectrum to 100% government owned BSNL at the earliest.
Dear readers, please share your views and opinions about this latest instructions from DoT for the mandatory utilization of BSNL/MTNL telecom services in all central government departments / ministries via comments with us. How many of you will recommend BSNL services to your friends / relatives ?
