Introduction:
Amidst the rapidly evolving telecom landscape, BSNL stands at a crossroads. The recent communication to the telecom minister, sourced from the union of BSNL and reported by MoneyControl, brings to light a strategic proposal that could alter the company’s trajectory. This note endeavours to articulate the potential of this proposal and the tangible benefits it could yield for both BSNL and VI.
Current Challenges and the Union’s Proposal:
As per the details furnished in the Economic Times, the BSNL union has made a direct appeal based on pragmatic considerations—primarily the government’s significant shareholding in VI. With the advent of 5G technology, BSNL’s lack of a 4G service offering has triggered an exodus of customers. The urgency of this situation is encapsulated in the words of P Abhimanyu, General Secretary of the BSNL employees’ union, who advocates for immediate action leveraging VI’s 4G network to stem the tide of customer loss. The chart below paints the BSNL’s customer loss trends.