The Silicon Review ^Asia

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has started to operate counterpart Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited's (MTNL) telecom networks in Delhi and Mumbai metropolitans with effect from Friday, according to a circular by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The development has come on the back of BSNL's proposal sent to the telecom department on October 27 this year, expressing interest to manage networks in twin circles on outsourced basis.

"As proposed by BSNL earlier vide its letter dated October 27, 2020 and agreed by MTNL, BSNL will run the mobile network of MTNL as its outsourced agency from January 1, 2020. The necessary formalities in this regard may please be completed accordingly,” BSNL Chairman Pravin Kumar Purwar said. The beleaguered BSNL and MTNL have a telecom market share of close to 10.75%.

Further, on December 16, the department had granted a unified license that included Delhi and Mumbai telecom service areas, making the telco eligible to offer mobile and fixed line services in two metropolitans. Delhi service areas included National Capital Region (NCR) such as Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad while Mumbai service area would cover New Mumbai and Kalyan.