Question : Landline and Mobile Phone Connections

(a) the number of landline and GSM Mobile phones of MTNL functioning in Delhi and Mumbai and the number of landline and GSM Mobile phones of BSNL functioning during each of the last five years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) the reasons for huge decline if any, in the number of landline and GSM Mobile phones of both the PSUs during the said period;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry with regard to the working of higher officials of these PSUs in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) State/UT wise number of landline and GSM Mobile phones of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) during each of the last five years and the current year, as reported by BSNL and MTNL,is at Annexure.
(b) BSNL and MTNL have informed that decline in landline numbers is due to general trend of shifting of subscribers to mobile services. As regards mobile connections, number of mobile subscribers of BSNL are increasing every year. However, the number of mobile subscribers is decreasing for MTNL. Stiff competition in telecom sector and absence of 4G service in the network of MTNL are the major reasons of decline in mobile connections of MTNL.
(c)&(d) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has conducted no enquiry with regard to the working of higher officials of these PSUs in this regard.