Category Archives: Telecom

Issues connected with telecom matters

Communications Minister must meet the Unions

09 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in BSNL News, PSU, Telecom

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Immediately after the General Elections and formation of the new government at centre, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has sent a letter congratulating the new Communications Minister, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, on 26th May 2014 along with a request for a meeting to discuss about the most important issues on the Revival of BSNL along with one or two staff issues. It is almost one and half months since the letter was given.

We know that the Minister will be very busy with three important portfolios like Communications, IT and Law. We understand that the Parliament was is session in between and now also the Parliament is in session. It is very difficult for a Central Minister to find time.

But in between he had met the private telecom companies, met the BSNL Management a few times and also many stake holders. We feel that the 2.5 lakh employees are also important stakeholders of the BSNL and their unions also should be taken in to confidence and they should be given opportunity to meet the Minister. This is only but just and fair.

When the office of the Minister was contacted in person twice, it was stated that the Minister has got the Forum Memorandum and the minister will meet. But so far it has not been arranged.

We feel the Minister should meet the Forum leaders at the earliest, finding some time between his busy schedule.

35 PSUs working without CMD/MD/Chairman

08 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, PSU, Telecom

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There are 35 PSUs including BSNL, MTNL,NHPC,Coal India which are having no CMD/MD/Chairman at present. This was stated in the Parliament on 7th July by Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri P.Radhakrishnan. In some cases the posts are vacant for months together. IN BSNL and MTNL after the retirement of the CMDs, no body has been posted and it is additional charge for the Directors. Either these delays are purposeful to deny governance of the PSUs or to appoint officers of the choice of the political parties.
We demand that these posts be filled up without any further delay for effective functioning of the PSUs.

Broadband Speed increased form 256 to 512 kbps

07 Monday Jul 2014

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It is reported that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has notified that the minimum broadband speed has been raised to 512 kilo bits per second (kbps) from the earlier 256 kbps. DOT has agreed to the same. This will benefit the customers.

Communications Ministry prepares draft on BSNL-MTNL Merger

28 Saturday Jun 2014

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A report published on the merger of BSNL and MTNL is reproduced below.This deserves serious attention of the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations and its affiliates:

“The communications ministry has prepared the draft for a note seeking the merger of ailing public sector telecom companies — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), sources in the department of telecommunications said. The draft has been sent to communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for his approval.

The draft was prepared in the light of weak finances in the two fallen monopolies, sources added. Unaudited financial results for the financial year 2013-2014 indicate that BSNL and MTNL are estimated to report a net loss of ` 7,084 crore and ` 1,908 crore, respectively.

Different groups have already been formed to study various aspects such as human resources, technological systems, financial and corporate integration between both firms. “A steering committee has also been constituted for the coordination of these groups,” a DoT source said.

The draft also mentions the operational level synergy between MTNL and BSNL. It suggests the creation of a separate company for the telecommunications infrastructure and has strongly suggested monetisation of the land assets possessed by both the public sector telecom companies.

“We have proposed hiving of mobile tower assets of BSNL into a separate company…a 100% subsidiary with outsourcing of operation and maintenance sales and marketing functions,” the source added.

Once the draft is examined by the communications minister, the proposal is likely to be forwarded to the law ministry, before being sent to the Cabinet for final approval.(Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

Telecom Companies of Ambanis coming together

27 Friday Jun 2014

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It is reported that the Reliance Jio of Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Communications of Anil Ambani may join together in providing telecom services to the people. They are expected to connect together in roaming, spectrum sharing as also tower and optical fibre cable. They will have common network, data centres, outlets etc.

This may help both the companies in a very big way.

Telecom Companies to pay fine for using 2G after court order

27 Friday Jun 2014

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The DOT has started the process for collection of fines from the private telecom companies which continued to use 2G even after the supreme Court Order date 2, February 2012. It is based on the order of the SC to collect fee from the companies for the use after the court order. Altogether DOT is expected to get Rs. 2,451 crores.

Of course, the private companies may go to the court, or better will influence the government to get the charges cancelled in the name of giving the ‘right signals’ to the industry.

Universal Broadband Coverage delayed

27 Friday Jun 2014

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The project for providing broadband connectivity to one lakh Panchayats in the country through NOFN will not be fulfilled by 2014-15 as declared earlier. There has been much delay in implementing the project. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which is funding the project which is to be implemented by BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid , has informed the Communications Minister that only 50,000 Panchayats can be covered during the period as most of the cable-laying , trenching and ducting work is incomplete.

This raises important questions. Whether it is the BSNL etc. which is delaying the matter or whether there is delay in sanctioning the funds by USOF or whether there are problems in the tenders, or whether there is no co-ordination between BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid etc. But one thing is clear. Neither the DOT, USOF, BSNL or others connected with the project have not taken the matter seriously. There may be some delay but the fact that only 50% can be completed during the period is completely unacceptable.

Forum Reminder to Communications Minister for meeting

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have given a memorandum to Communications Minister on 26th June and requested for a meeting to discuss the issues of Revival of BSNL and a few other issues. So far no meeting has been held.
Today, 24th June, the Convener Forum has written another letter seeking an early meeting.

Forum will meet on 25th June on Revival of BSNL

24 Tuesday Jun 2014

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be meeting tomorrow, 25th June, at the Local Council Room, NTR, Eastern Court, New Delhi at 04.00 PM to discuss about the Revival of BSNL. The Forum has already given a detailed letter to the Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on the Revival of BSNL and has requested for a meeting to present our views. So far the meeting has not taken place.
Communications Minister had already stated that action will be taken to revive BSNL and MTNL and had a meeting with the Management of both these PSUs. The details of the discussions are not available, but it is felt that some move is there in this connection.
The Forum wants a detailed discussion with the Minister at the earliest. The Forum meeting tomorrow will review all these developments.

Appoint CMD, Director (Finance ) of BSNL immediately

21 Saturday Jun 2014

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The post of Director (Finance), BSNL is vacant for the last few months after the retirement of Shri K.C.G.K.Pillai. Shri R.K.Upadhyay, present CMD BSNL is retiring on 30th June 2014. Shri Anupam Shrivastava was selected for the post. But now, it is understood, that the post will be filled up only after the new government takes a decision. In that case, the CMD post also may be vacant for some time.

NDA government assured good governance. Is this good governance keeping these important posts vacant? The Central Government should immediately fill up these posts to help BSNL to function.