CHENNAI: The state-owned BSNL’s 2G spectrum licence expired in February this year and it is yet to be renewed, according to a BSNL official. Sources told Express that talks are going on with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to renew the 2G spectrum licence for another two years.
A BSNL official from Tamil Nadu circle told Express that DoT is likely to give its assent for renewal of the licence soon. “We are in the final stages of discussion,” he added. This also comes as a DoT committee recommended that the BSNL should not procure any 2G equipment, not even for replacement. It is learnt that the committee has observed that BSNL should migrate all its subscribers to 4G as the 2G services are expected to go down significantly.
The BSNL official told Express that it is not possible to do away with 2G connection as most of the rural parts of Tamil Nadu are still dependent on the 2G network. Sources said BSNL has written to the DoT, saying that non-investment in 2G network will put its key revenue stream at risk, and cause a significant disadvantage to compete in the market.
While the BSNL official refused to discuss the committee report saying that the corporate office will take a decision, it is learnt from BSNL employees that it will be hard to do away with the 2G network. Sources indicated that many low-income users have shifted to BSNL, which still offers plans that come with a long-term incoming call facility.
It is learnt that the DoT committee, which has submitted its recommendations for the upcoming 4G tender of BSNL, wanted the telecom provider to emulate countries like Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Norway and Switzerland by doing away with 2G services.