(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to revamp and develop the BSNL and MTNL;
(b) whether it is a fact that BSNL and MTNL are not permitted to carry out their technological upgradation and improvement and if so, the reasons therefor as well as the time by when they are likely to be permitted to do so; and
(c) the details of the improvement works being carried out by both the companies at present?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)
(a) The Government approved the revival plan for BSNL and MTNL on 23.10.2019 which inter-alia includes measures to reduce the employee cost through Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G services with funding through capital infusion, debt restructuring by raising of sovereign guarantee bonds and monetization of assets of BSNL/MTNL.
(b) & (c) BSNL and MTNL augment their network including technological upgradation and improvement as per techno-commercial considerations.
BSNL and MTNL have carried out various works to improve their services. BSNL has undertaken migration of conventional landline exchanges to Next Generation Network, upgradation of traffic backbone, implementation of cyber security solution in its network, reorganisation of business areas for better services etc. BSNL is deploying indigenous 4G technology through Proof of Concept route under Atma-nirbhar Bharat initiative of the Government of India.
MTNL has implemented upgradation of the Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Information Technology (IT) Network.