BSNL employee union backs purchase from foreign firms, calls Indian products substandard

The employee union of BSNL has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the 4G tender issue, sensing attempts by vested interests to scuttle the procurement. The union said the complaint by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) is nothing but a ploy to stall 4G equipment procurement and delay the launch of services.

The union said it was unfair to direct BSNL alone to buy local 4G equipment, largely untested and of substandard quality, from inexperienced companies while letting private operators buy from global players. Also, since BSNL is taking a loan from banks to purchase the equipment, it does not come under the purview of Make in India policy.