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Running on empty: BSNL, MTNL have no airwaves to give quality service

It has implications for the government's plans to expand Digital India to the poorest areas of the country

Ravi Shankar Prasad
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Ravi Shankar Prasad, Telecom and Information Technology Minister

Subhomoy Bhattacharjee New Delhi
BSNL and MTNL have challenges much large than their immediate woes with salary bills. They are woefully short of spectrum to even offer 4G services, leave alone 5G. 

On Friday, Telecom and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We will make a focused attempt on the revival of BSNL and MTNL and will move a Cabinet note on that very soon. The details are being worked out.” 

But the issues are more than provision of working capital loans. The two have no airwaves to give quality service where they are most needed. It has implications for the government’s plans