Mtnl Wants Access To Bsnl's Networks To Take On Pvt Telcos

[Honest 836]

MTNL wants access to BSNL's networks to take on pvt telcos

6 Jun, 2008, 0141 hrs IST, TNN

NEW DELHI: State-owned telco MTNL has sought that the government allow it to access the networks of BSNL, which has a pan-India presence, so that it can compete with private operators. The company has pointed out that private players such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications, which had recently slashed STD tariffs, were carrying most calls on their own fibre networks across the country.

This implies, these private telcos do not have to pay carriage and termination fee to other operators to carry their calls, and this has helped them rollout schemes and offer unlimited STD calls between within their network (also called on-net calls). MTNL has said that since its presence was confined to two metros, it could not offer on-net calls and this factor was impacting its growth and market share.

It has, therefore, suggested that calls between BSNL and MTNL networks be treated as on-net calls. “MTNL cannot offer unlimited STD calls on the BSNL network. This puts the customers of both PSUs at a disadvantage,” CMD RSP Sinha told DoT in a communique.

MTNL has pointed out that both it as well as BSNL was owned by the government, but since they held licenses to operate mutually exclusive service areas, the calls originated from the network of one PSU and getting terminated on the network of another PSU were currently being treated as off-net calls.

“So it’s proposed that calls originating from the network of one PSU and being terminated at the network of another PSU should be treated as on-net calls so that the benefits of different type of on-net call plans may be extended to the customers of both the PSUs to provide a level playing field with private operators having license to provide services throughout the country,” Mr Sinha added.

[KumaarShah 143]

Wonder what is holding MTNL/BSNL from doing this? If they do this, then they will give a run to RCOM and all other private players. In any case, the babus may have been bought out by the telecom gangsters, so all such efforts will get stymied.

BSNL/MTNL can emerge as the best network providing the cheapest services if they do things properly and dont depend on the GoI for each and every thing. Both need to be freed from GoI clutches or should it be crutches?

[Greatest 55]

true, if the 'marriage' happens, the pvt companies are going to have to be more competitive and innovative ofcourse....

[Honest 836]

^^^

Exactly my dear friends, they should come together to provide the cheapest services for subscribers. If MTNL get the access of BSNL's network then definetely they can give a run to all other private players. And vice versa MTNL subscribers could also take the benefit of BSNL'S Evdo service.

Regards.

[Himanshu Singh 19]

wait for 6 months. this is going to happen before the next general election.