On Thursday, the employee union of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) protested the delay in the implementation of 4G and 5G services.
BSNL staff protest
Hundreds of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) non-executive employees took to the streets on Thursday to protest the Centre’s alleged unwillingness to launch 4G and 5G services through the public utility. In Karnataka, 600 to 800 BSNL employees formed a human chain near their district offices, while 300 gathered in Bengaluru.
Speaking to TOI The workers said they couldn’t wait any longer or the utility would go out of business. The government of India’s Department of Telecommunications had repeatedly promised BSNL 4G rollout between 2022 and 2023. “They’ve stuck to the 18-month timeline.” When we ask about the progress, they always say 18 months. “We are confident that 4G infrastructure will not be ready in 18 months,” one protester stated.
Old technology and equipment
According to a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) report, BSNL lost over 75,000 subscribers in March and April and 75 lakh subscribers last year. Sudarshan HV, Circle Secretary of the BSNL employees union told Bangalore Mirror, “We want to highlight the impact of the delay in the implementation of 4G and 5G services. Just last year we lost 75 lakh connections. It has been our long-time demand since 2016. The existing 3G services are being provided with 50,000 pieces of equipment and are yet to be upgraded to 4G. We have 59,000 towers that can be upgraded to provide 4G services.”
He went on to say that while the union government has made room for the spectrum, it has not permitted the upgrade of existing towers or the purchase of equipment from Chinese firms. “In the name of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, we have been stopped from procuring the equipment and have been running 3G services. BSNL only makes up 11 percent, and the rest of the market share is made up of private companies that are using imported equipment. The government is launching relief packages, but without launching 4G and 5G services, it’s of no use,” added Sudarshan.
The union also said that BSNL is the only telecom company providing 2G and 3G services. They are concerned that by the time BSNL receives 4G, private players will have upgraded to 6G. “In the era of 5G, we don’t even have 4G. Now, with work from home being a common practice along with improved methods of study, how will the children, youngsters, and adults cope with 3G data given by BSNL?” said a protester.
After submitting a memorandum to the governors of all states on June 14, BSNL employees plan to march to Sanchar Bhavan in New Delhi on July 17 with a joint forum formed by seven non-executive unions in the country.
