Question : SURRENDER OF BSNL AND MTNL TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS

(a) whether the number of domestic landline telephone connections is decreasing day by day in the era of mobile phones;

(b) if so, the extent to which revenue losses suffered by the Government as a result thereof surrendering a large number of telephone connections;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check the same;

(d) the number of new domestic landline telephone connections installed and surrendered during the year 2006-07, separately; and

(e) the details thereof, State-wise, especially in Rajasthan?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) Yes, Sir. There is decline in Landline connections.

(b) Revenue from Telephone connections is not earned by the Government but by the Operators who provide the telephone connections to the customers. Reductions in the number of domestic land line telephone connections has been accompanied by much more increase in mobile connections. This trend of mobile substitutions has resulted in overall increase in revenue to the Government.

(c) BSNL and MTNL have taken a lot of measures with following details to maintain its customer base as well as to improve telecommunication services in its service areas:

(i) Reduction in tariff for all basic services.

(ii) Launch of BSNL ONE INDIA tariff Scheme.

(iii) Reduction of rental for Sulabh Plan by BSNL.

(iv) Empowering CGMs of Telecom Circles by BSNL to launch Circle based competitive tariffs for basic and cellular services to increase the number of subscribers.

(v) MTNL is reviewing its tariff for various products and services so as to make them customer friendly and to suit various segments of the society.

(vi) MTNL has launched IPTV Services in both Delhi and Mumbai. It will stop the churn of landline subscribers and provide enhanced video services to the customers.

(d) & (e) The number of domestic landline telephone connections installed and surrendered (including disconnection due to non-payment) during the year 2006-07 of BSNL and MTNL is given in the Annexure.