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BSNL Breaks Silence on ₹1,757-Crore Jio Billing Controversy

April 8, 2025, 7:15 pm

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has strongly refuted the charge of a Rs 1,757.76-crore revenue loss to the Centre on account of non-billing of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL). The government-owned telecom service provider explained that the amount, quoted in a government audit, was arrived at through a misinterpretation of contractual terms and does not represent real losses.

BSNL Refutes Charge of Rs 1,757.76-Crore Loss

Rebutting the Department of Expenditure (DoE), BSNL declared that previous claims of revenue loss were due to the falsification and misuse of provisions under add-on components in the Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Reliance Jio.

As per BSNL, the company has already invoiced Rs 108 crore to Jio and is seeking further payments over and above base rental charges under the terms of the MSA. “There is no revenue loss to BSNL, as previous demand, and therefore, loss (of Rs 1,757.76-crore) had been erroneously overestimated due to misrepresentation and application of the clause for add-on components,” reiterated the company in its response.

CAG Report Highlights Alleged Shortcomings

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had previously pointed a finger at BSNL for not strictly enforcing the terms of the MSA, indicating that the telco did not bill Jio for extra technologies implemented on BSNL’s passive infrastructure between 2016 and 2020. The CAG report estimated the total revenue loss at Rs 1,757.76 crore, of which Rs 29 crore resulted from non-compliance with escalation clauses for infrastructure sharing charges.

“BSNL failed to enforce the Master Service Agreement (MSA) with M/s. Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) and did not bill it for the additional technology used on BSNL’s shared passive infrastructure, resulting in loss of Rs 1,757.76-crore and penal interest thereon, between May 2014 to March 2024 to the government exchequer,” CAG in its report said, as per an earlier report.

BSNL Disagrees With CAG’s Interpretation

BSNL rebuffed the audit report, claiming that the CAG report ignored the bilateral nature of the MSA with Jio. The telecom company contended that terms for extra technologies were negotiated in April 2018, and a final addendum to the MSA was executed on January 31, 2025, to provide for fees for both TDD and FDD 4G technologies over and above the normal purview.

The revised agreement aligns with government policies encouraging infrastructure sharing among telecom players, BSNL noted.

BSNL’s Infrastructure Sharing Strategy

BSNL initiated its infrastructure-sharing program in 2014 to cut capital and operational expenses. By 2020, the network had shared 13,146 towers, including 8,363 with Jio, 2,779 with Bharti Airtel, and 1,782 with Vodafone Idea.

Jio paid installments regularly each year: Rs 171.81 crore (2016–17), Rs 472.80 crore (2017–18), Rs 678.38 crore (2018–19), and Rs 402.28 crore in the first three quarters of 2019–20.

BSNL is now set to file its response to the Centre after taking required internal clearances, due this month end.

Jio Network Down for Thousands Across India, Social Media Flooded with Outage Complaints

September 17, 2024, 4:07 pm

Thousands of Jio users across India faced a major network outage on Tuesday, causing widespread disruption to mobile connectivity and internet services. The outage, which began in the morning, prompted a flood of complaints on social media platforms, with the hashtag #JioDown quickly trending.

According to Downdetector, a website that tracks service disruptions, over 10,500 users had reported network issues by 12:08 PM. The majority of complaints (65%) involved “No Signal” problems, while 19% of users reported difficulties with mobile internet, and 16% faced issues with Jio Fiber services. Major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Patna, and Kolkata were among the worst affected.

In contrast, other telecom providers, including Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL, remained unaffected, with no significant disruptions reported.

Social Media Reactions on X

As the outage persisted, frustrated users turned to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their concerns. Many users shared their struggles with the service disruption, while others responded with humor, posting memes and jokes to cope with the inconvenience.

One user wrote, “Mumbaikars please update the status of your Jio network #JioDown?”, while another speculated, “Jio Service Down due to fire in IDC (Data Centre) #JioDown #DataCenter #ServerDown.”

No Official Response from Jio Yet

As of this report, Jio has not issued an official statement regarding the cause of the outage or when services will be fully restored. The exact reason for the network disruption remains unclear, though users are hoping for a swift resolution.

In the meantime, Jio users continue to flood social media with complaints, updates, and humorous takes on the unexpected network failure, while eagerly awaiting the return of normal service.

India Offers The Most Affordable Internet: Scindia

July 30, 2024, 1:37 am

Union Minister for Communication and Development of the North East, Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced that BSNL will launch its 4G network this October and will soon follow with 5G services. Speaking at the India News event organised by The Sunday Guardian Foundation, he underscored India’s remarkable economic ascent, pointing out that the country has advanced from the 11th to the 5th position among the world’s largest economies.
Scindia highlighted the ongoing efforts of his ministry. He expressed optimism about India’s advancements in the telecom sector, noting the country’s significant progress from being a follower in 4G to becoming a leader in 6G. “India is transitioning from being a follower in 4G, keeping pace with 5G, to leading in 6G. This growth is evident across all sectors,” he remarked.
Addressing the price hikes by telecom giants like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, Scindia noted that India offers the most affordable internet globally. The cost of 1 GB has decreased significantly from Rs 270 in 2014 to just Rs 9 in 2024. Similarly, voice call costs have dropped from 51 paise per minute in 2014 to just 3 paise per minute this year. The capital expenditure for 5G is set at Rs. 4,26 crore, and the recent tariff increases are minimal compared to global standards. Regarding 5G, Scindia revealed that 17 crore customers have adopted the new technology, with 4.5 lakh transmission systems installed across the country.
The deployment of 19 lakh base transceiver stations (BTS) for 4G highlights the extensive infrastructure in place. Quality of service remains a top priority, and Scindia emphasised the importance of India achieving self-reliance in telecommunications, citing the Tejas network as a successful example. Additionally, the number of BSNL towers is set to expand to 80,000 by October.
He added that the BSNL 4G network will be installed only when we produce our 4G stack in our country and make the whole world aware that India has become a leader in the telecom sector. Regarding BSNL, we discussed that BSNL has now expanded its network to 4G. “We are currently in the process of installing 4G towers as well as expanding to 5G networks, which has caused some delays. We faced two options: either purchase telecom equipment from international companies, spending a significant amount of Indian rupees in foreign currency, or rely completely on this imported telecom equipment for our communication network. This reliance is not only a commercial risk but also a security risk.

Amarnath Yatra 2024: BSNL Introduces Special SIM Card for Pilgrims

July 2, 2024, 7:08 pm

Amarnath Yatra 2024 began on June 29 and will run until August 19, allowing pilgrims to visit Baba Barfani of Shri Amarnath Ji during this period. To support the pilgrims, state-run telecom company BSNL has introduced a special travel SIM card to help users stay in touch with their families during the pilgrimage. The telecom company has assured uninterrupted network coverage throughout the Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.

BSNL Yatra Sim Is Priced At Rs 196

BSNL Yatra SIM, priced at Rs 196, provides users with a 4G SIM card that is valid for 10 days and offers unlimited voice and data benefits. To get the travel SIM card, individuals need to present their Aadhar card or another form of ID for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification along with the Shri Amarnath Yatra slip. Once these requirements are met, passengers will receive an active BSNL SIM card, enabling voice calling and data services for 10 days along the Yatra route at locations such as Lakhanpur, Bhagwati Nagar, Chandrakot, Pahalgam, Baltal, and other key areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

BSNL’s Rs 108 Plan Voucher

Additionally, BSNL offers a Rs 108 plan voucher available to customers nationwide. This plan includes unlimited voice calling and 1GB of daily data, with a service validity of 28 days. However, it does not include SMS benefits. Users can recharge with talk time to send SMS messages, which are charged at 80 paise per local SMS and Rs 1.20 per national SMS.

Jharkhand: Fire Erupts At BSNL Premise In Ranchi

May 5, 2024, 4:35 pm

A fire erupted on Sunday at the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) premises in Ranchi. Upon notification, 10 fire engines arrived at the scene to address the situation.

Attempts are currently being made to quell the flames.

Further information is underway.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: CM Dhami meets family of stranded workers

November 26, 2023, 12:25 pm

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, paid a visit to the family of Tanakpur worker Pushkar Singh Airi on Sunday. Airi has been imprisoned in the Silkyara tunnel for the past fifteen days. The 41 workers who became stuck in the Silkyara tunnel on the Uttarkashi-Yamnotri road are still being rescued. Regarding the ongoing rescue efforts, Chief Medical Officer Dhami stated that the auger machine cutting that became lodged in the Silkyara tunnel debris in order to free the workers is in progress and should be finished shortly. He stated that after the auger machine was cut and removed, manual drilling would start.

“The plasma machine that has been brought from Hyderabad has started working since this morning. The cutting is going on rapidly. 14 metres more remain (to be cut),” he said.
“The auger machine has to be cut and brought out. It seems that it will be completed soon, within a few more hours. After that, manual drilling will begin,” CM Dhami added.
A plasma cutter machine was flown from Hyderabad to cut the auger machine early this morning.

In addition, the Indian Air Force said earlier today that it had rushed “critical DRDO equipment” to Dehradun in order to expedite the current rescue effort. According to official sources, a protective canopy is being erected inside the Silkyara tunnel to provide cover for the rescue crew. In addition, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has intervened to give the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel a landline so they can communicate with their families as part of efforts to reassure them and reduce their stress.

Tata’s Tejas Networks receives its largest-ever contract from BSNL

April 3, 2023, 4:47 pm

Tejas Networks Limited has received a Rs 696 crore order from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the upgrade of its all-India IP-MPLS-based Access and Aggregation Network (MAAN). Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company, designs and manufactures wireless networking products for telecommunications service providers, defense and government entities in over 75 countries. Tejas Networks will deliver, install, and commission over 13,000 of its TJ1400 series next-generation access and aggregation routers as part of this contract.

Tejas Networks said in an exchange filing on Monday that initial supplies and deployment are expected to be finished within the next 18 months.
“We are overjoyed to have won this prestigious contract, which is the single largest order we have received in our company to date.” “We are excited to collaborate with BSNL to build a unified, flexible, and scalable IP/MPLS network that will support growing data traffic from its full suite of services, including a mobile (2G/3G/4G/5G), fiber broadband, Voice over IP, WiFi, and enterprise data services,” said Sanjay Nayak, Managing Director and CEO of Tejas Networks.

“It gives us an excellent opportunity to scale our carrier routing products and establish our world-class capabilities in the critical routing technology area,” Nayak added.
Tejas Networks’ stock was up more than 5% at Rs 610 at the time of writing.

BSNL to start 5G services by 2024

January 5, 2023, 5:06 pm

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said high-speed 5G services of State-owned BSNL will be launched by April 2024.

Addressing the press conference Vaishnaw said BSNL does not have a legacy network. After Jio launched 5G services in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack BSNL will do so.

“So there was a big advantage for BSNL as the entire network we are designing is in a way that it can be rapidly upgraded from 4G to 5G. That cycle will be very fast,” Vaishnaw said.

“Entire Odisha will be covered by 5G services in 2 years. Today, 5G services have been launched in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack,” the telecom minister Vaishnaw said.

Meanwhile, to strengthen the telecom connectivity in the state the central government has allocated Rs 5,600.

Earlier in the day in Odisha 100 telecom towers for 4G services covering 100 odd villages has been launched.

Talking about Vodafone Idea’s (VIL) debt burden of over Rs 2 lakh crore Vaishnaw said, “Vodafone (Idea) has many requirements. It has a particular requirement for capital. How much capital, and who will infuse? All those things are under discussion at this point in time.”

However, at a par value of Rs 10 per share, Vodafone India had offered a stake to the government.

“The responsibility of capital has to come from various sources. The company just doesn’t require conversion. It requires capital. All those things are a complex issue,” Vaishnaw said.

‘5G to reach over 200 cities’, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

October 2, 2022, 1:12 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched 5G technology in India. After the launch, Airtel launched its 5G services in 8 cities and by March 2024 they will cover the entire country.

Meanwhile, by December 2023 Reliance Jio will introduce its 5G services and Vodafone Idea will launch its 5G services too.

Moreover, Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), too, will offer 5G technology. The 5G services of BSNL will begin by 15 August 2023.

Addressing the event Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “This would make the company a powerful entity in the telecom sector.”

However, in his speech, Vaishnaw said that in the coming 6 months the 5G services will be available in 200 cities in the country.

“By 2024, the government wants to bring 80-90 percent people under 5G coverage,” Vaishnaw stated.

Rs 1.64 lakh crore revival package for BSNL, approves Cabinet

July 27, 2022, 6:08 pm

The Union Cabinet approved Rs 1.64 lakh crore revival package for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Wednesday.

Addressing a media briefing Union Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “It is a combination of cash support and non-cash support.”

“The attrition of customers has stopped. Revenue which was going down has become stable at Rs 19,000 crore,” Ashwini added.

Earlier in 2019, the package announced by the government helped BSNL stabilize its financial conditions.

Elaborating on the package the minister said the revival package has three elements, to improve services, de-stress the balance sheet, and expansion of fiber network.

Moreover, the proposal to merge Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) with BSNL has been approved by the Union Cabinet. Through this merge, BSNL will get an additional 5.67 lakh kilometers of optical fiber. This has been laid across 1.85 lakh village panchayats in the country using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).