Fri Feb 14 15:19:07 UTC 2025: **BSNL Returns to Profitability After 17 Years**
NEW DELHI – State-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has returned to profitability after a 17-year drought, posting a net profit of Rs 262 crore in the December quarter (Q3 FY2024-25), Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced Friday. This marks a significant turnaround for the company, which has been focusing on expanding its services and subscriber base.
The strong performance was driven by significant growth across various service offerings. Mobility services revenue increased by 15 percent, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) revenue jumped 18 percent, and leased line services saw a 14 percent rise compared to the same quarter last year. The subscriber base also grew, reaching approximately 90 million in December from 84 million in June.
BSNL’s success is attributed to a multi-pronged strategy encompassing innovation, network expansion, cost optimization, and improved customer service. The company has significantly reduced its finance costs and overall expenditure, resulting in a loss reduction of over Rs 1,800 crore compared to the previous year. Further contributing to this success are new offerings such as National WiFi Roaming, BiTV, and IFTV. BSNL also boasts the first private 5G connectivity for mining operations.
Minister Scindia expressed optimism for continued success, hoping to see further revenue growth in the fourth quarter and sustained cost control. He highlighted the doubling of BSNL’s EBITDA over the past four years, from Rs 1,100 crore to almost Rs 2,100 crore. The minister also emphasized BSNL’s ongoing 4G rollout, with nearly 75,000 out of 100,000 planned towers already installed, and the expectation that all towers will be operational by June. This return to profitability signals a new chapter for BSNL as it expands its 4G services nationwide.
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