DoT unveils strategic plan for operational synergy of telecom PSUs

The telecom department today unveiled a strategic plan for bringing together state-owned companies and organisations in the sector for promoting greater operational synergy among them, including effective utilisation of human resources as well as land and buildings.

The action plan covers Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Indian Telephone Industries Ltd (ITI), Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL), Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipments (TEC), BharatNet (BBNL).

“Under the plan, we have identified specific areas where our teams will work on including manpower, settlement of legal issues and utilisation of vacant space. I am pleased to see the focus on clearly-defined timelines and performance indicators,” Telecom Minster Manoj Sinha said at a press conference.

He emphasised it is “critical” that substantial and tangible progress is make under the strategic plan in the next six months. A review mechanism at Department of Telecom (DoT) will keep the plans on track, Sinha added.

The strategic plan – the work on which began in January 2016 – entails amongst other things, an effective utilisation of Human Resources including deriving synergies in training of manpower, and creation of a common platform for web based online training by BSNL, in a time bound manner.

Other aspects include operational utilisation of vacant space, land and buildings within telecom PSUs and organisations within DoT, and promoting Make in India by taking advantage of preferential market access policy.

Also, the telecom PSUs will refrain from going to court against one another and, instead, first approach DoT for dispute resolution.

The strategic roadmap will also cover other areas like standards and certification, and preparing to tap opportunities in areas like 5G and Internet of Things (IoT).

During the event today MoUs were also exchanged between various PSUs under the strategic plan. Amongst them are MoU between ITI and TCIL pertaining to export of products, ITI and CDOT for transfer of technology, and between MTNL, ITI and CDoT for joint execution of Internet of Things and smart city projects.