BSNL-MTNL merger only after BSNL listing: Government

The telecom ministry will decide on the merger between the state-owned telecom companies, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), only after the listing of the former.

“MTNL is a New York Stock Exchange- (NYSE) listed company, and a merger would not be possible without the listing of BSNL. We will first look at listing BSNL and then will decide on the merger,” Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Gurudas Kamat said.

The merger was on the agenda of the government and was discussed many times with the board of the companies. However, a concrete decision was not reached at. Apart from the NYSE listing, MTNL is also listed on Indian bourses.

When asked about the employee union’s concerns of BSNL’s Initial Public Offering (IPO), the minister said the government would discuss the issue with the unions. “We will address it,” he added.

He said BSNL has been making profits, and that steps have been taken to improve the PSU’s profits. On the allocation of 3G and WiMax spectrum, the minister said allocation would start by the end of this year.