BSNL presence crucial to keep in check private telcos’ monopolistic pricing: BMS to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The presence of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is crucially needed to keep in check the monopolistic pricing by private telecom operators, according to a trade union, which urged the government to ensure that the company is allowed to use 4G and 5G equipment from global vendors till the time the ‘swadeshi’ (indigenous) technology is developed.

“Though we do understand the significance of AatmaNirbhar Bharat in telecom and firmly support the idea but at the same time we consider it paramount to allow BSNL to launch the services by allowing it to upgrade its existing Infra till the time swadeshi technology is developed,” Ravindra Himte, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said in a letter dated July 10, 2024, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.