(a) whether MTNL and BSNL are more indebted due to the loss of market share in landline and mobile services than private telecommunication companies;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the debt reported by BSNL and MTNL during the last three years and the current year along with the reasons therefor; and
(c) the separate number of mobile and landline connections surrendered during the said period, company-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) Market share of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) for the last three years are as under:
<pre>
Market share as on Market share of BSNL
(in %age) Market share of MTNL*
(in %age)
Wireline Wireless Total Wireline Wireless Total
31.03.2018 53.78 9.44 10.30 54.13 3.94 7.16
31.03.2019 51.47 9.96 10.72 52.51 3.83 6.95
31.03.2020 43.16 10.35 10.92 48.80 3.68 6.61
</pre>
* Market share of MTNL is calculated in its LSAs(Delhi and Mumbai) only.
MTNL and BSNL are indebted due to stiff competition in telecom sector resulting in reduced tariffs, high staff cost and absence of 4G services (except on a limited basis in certain areas for BSNL).
(b) Debt reported by BSNL and MTNL during the last three years and the current year is as under:
(in Rupees crore)
<pre>
Debt as on BSNL MTNL
31.03.2018 9,452 16,974
31.03.2019 15,988 19,692
31.03.2020 21,902 22,966
31.08.2020 21,902 23,950
</pre>
Loans are availed to meet the capital expenditure and shortfall in operational revenue and expenditure.
(c) Number of landline and mobile connections of BSNL and MTNL surrendered during the last three years are as under:
<pre>
Period Connections surrendered in BSNL Connections surrendered in MTNL
Landline Mobile Landline Mobile
2017-20 41,34,029 3,45,000 5,28,520 4,88,491
</pre>
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