Govt puts BSNL on call-waiting mode for 4G, loan

At a time when telecom operators in the country are on the verge of launching 5G services, the State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is still awaiting allocation of 4G spectrum. Further, the operator still needs a ‘letter of comfort’ from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for taking a ₹5,000-crore loan.

Last month, BSNL employees across the country went on a three-day strike (February 18, 19 and 20) demanding allocation of 4G spectrum and government approvals for the loan.

“Being a technology-driven company, 4G is important for BSNL’s journey forward,” a source close to the development told BusinessLine.