Spectrum allocation for 4G services to BSNL provisioned in FY 2020-21, Ministry of Communications

BSNL can function 4G service on a pan-Indian basis including Mumbai and Delhi. It has been allotted with an additional block of 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in 20 telecom circles, including Mumbai, India Today reported. As per government norms, only Indian companies can provide a core network of BSNL.

Ministry of Communications notified that Cabinet has approved measures to revive BSNL and MTNL. A sovereign guarantee of 15,000 crores has extended for this process. Revival plan includes reduction of staff cost through Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), allotment of spectrum for 4G services, monetization of land/building, tower and Fibre assets of BSNL/MTNL, debt restructuring through sovereign guarantee bond and in-principle approval of the merger of BSNL and MTNL.

Year-End Review 2020 published by the Department of Telecommunications found teledensity of the country at 86.37 per cent. However, Rural teledensity of the country identified as per cent against this. As of October 30, 1171.72 million telephone connections are present. Out of this 1151.73 million are mobile connections.