The government is in the process of formulating the National Telecom Policy 2018, it is reported.

The National Telecom Policy 1994, initiated private entry in Telecom. NTP -1999/2000 gave many subsidies to the private operators. NTP-2006 continued the same policy and in fact resulted in cancellation of BSNL tenders for mobile lines. What will the proposals in the NTP – 2018? May be more benefits to the private operators and injustice and ignoring the PSUs BSNL and MTNL?

In his letter to Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener Joint Forum and General Secretary BSNLEU, dated 04-01-2006, just before the start of the strike on 4/5 January, then Secretary DOT has given written assurance that “the views of the union will be duly considered as and when the draft of the telecom policy is formulated.” This was in addition to the assurance that there will be no disinvestment of BSNL and also that there will be no unbundling of the copper cables. The strike was withdrawn on the basis of these assurances in the last minute.

As such, the government is committed to hear the views of the unions/associations in BSNL on the formulation of the next Telecom Policy which is expected by next year.