BSNL to more than double its 3G network by March
18 Jan 2010
State-rum telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning to more than double the number of towns covered by its third-generation (3G) mobile phone services.
BSNL currently has 600,000 3G customers across 300 towns and the number is expected to go up to 1 million with the services extending to a total 750 towns by March, SC Ahluwalia, general manager, corporate marketing, said today.
BSNL is likely to delay its initial public offer in the light of its poor financial performance as the IPO of the telecom PSU may trade below sale price.
A news channel, meanwhile, quoted disinvestment secretary Sunil Mitra as saying that the BSNL IPO may happen in the coming year (2010-11). He, however, did not say exactly when that would happen.
BSNL needs to open up to public ownership if it is to strengthen its management and its accountability, the report quoted him as saying.
The government had earlier proposed a 10 per cent divestment in the telecom PSU and this has been okayed at a recent review meeting chaired by the prime minister.