Keypoints:
- In the letter, the AUAB wrote that in the absence of 4G, cannot survive in the industry beyond two years.
- BSNL employees union has further asked the government to let them procure equipment if it is not indigenous.
State-run telco BSNL’s employee’s group All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) has written to PM Modi and to Minister of Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that the telco “cannot survive beyond two years” in the absence of 4G rollout.
It has further asked the government not to discriminate against BSNL on the basis of the “Make in India” policy and has said that it should not be compelled to procure equipment from domestic vendors only.
The employee’s group noted that out of the upgradable 49,300 BTSs, 13,300 BTSs are supplied by Nokia and 36,000 BTSs are supplied by ZTE. These BTSs are all 4G, 3G, and 2G compatible. AUAB said that the government should allow BSNL to get its 2G and 3G BTSs upgraded to 4G BTSs to launch 4G services.
Earlier this year, BSNL outsourced its customer care services in some circles to cut costs. However, as per the employee’s group, it has resulted in a degradation of services. “It is decided that the AUAB should write to the Management demanding suitable remedial actions.
The employee’s group has further reiterated its demand for adequate compensation for the losses caused by an inordinate delay in the launch of 4G services.
“BSNL is facing attacks from all sides. If we don’t remain united it will be very difficult to save BSNL. In the past also, only the employees have protected BSNL through their struggles and not the Management. The AUAB has already sent a letter to all the Unions and Associations, which are not part of the AUAB, requesting them to join the AUAB, for organising united actions. If they make a positive move, we will welcome them,” K Sebastin, General Secretary, said SNEA.
BSNL outsourced its customer care services in some circles to cut costs, earlier this year, which according to the employees has resulted in the degradation of services. The employee’s union noted that any attempts by the management or government to divert BSNL’s mobile towers to the subsidiary BSNL Tower Corporation (BTCL), or converting it into a joint venture, or opting for disinvestment would invite militant struggles.
