DoT seeks nod for 23K BSNL base stations

Number will rise to 123,000; move to help telco compete with private players

- GULVEEN AULAKH

The Department of Telecommunications has sought approval from the government to expand the base-station capacity of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) by nearly a fourth, according to sources aware of the development.

The addition of 23,000 sites, to be done next financial year, will take the number of base stations to 123,000.

Additional funding for this will be required, a source added.

“The effective way for BSNL to compete with private telcos is to expand its coverage. We now have about 100,000 sites while private carriers have over 350,000,” the person said.