BSNL Market Share Improving Consistently : Telecom Minister

In a good news to millions of BSNL customers, its employees and stakeholders, the telecom minister Manoj Sinha informed that the market share of the state run telco is improving. And more importantly, BSNL market share is improving consistently for the last three years.


By end of March 31, 2015 BSNL’s market share was 10.21% which improved to 10.43% by 31 March 2016. It has further improved to 10.47% on 31 March 2016, telecom minister Manoj Sinha said answering a query in Lok Sabha. BSNL market share for 2017 is yet to be tabulated.

“BSNL has drawn a comprehensive framework for augmentation/ upgradation of its network in all spheres viz. wireless network, wireline network, data network, backhaul network and bandwidth augmentation with aggressive and innovative customer centric initiatives to retain / enhance its market share,” the minister informed the Lower House.

The improvement of BSNL market share is certainly commendable considering the fact that the same is on constant decline for the big telcos like Airtel, Vodafone and Idea on account of fierce competition from Reliance Jio. Since the entry of Jio, market share, revenue as well as net profit of these incumbent telcos are on consistent decline.

As per data tabled by the telecom ministry in the Parliament, BSNL market share is on a consistent rise in almost all serviced telecom circles. Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are two circles where the state run telco’s market share is more than 20%. In Kerala, it is 26.91% whereas in Himachal Pradesh BSNL market share is 21.84%. In these two circles, the firm’s market share has risen in last three years. Odisha, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are some telecom circles where the BSNL has seen improvements in last three years.

BSNL has drawn a comprehensive framework for augmentation/ upgradation of its network in all spheres viz. wireless network, wireline network, data network, backhaul network and bandwidth augmentation with aggressive and innovative customer centric initiatives to retain / enhance its market share.

In a separate reply in Rajya Sabha, the minister also informed that a multi-prong revival and restructuring plan is being initiated for the state run telco that has been under financial stress since 2009. Three (03) Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) have been requested to submit their willingness for undertaking a study and preparation of a revival/restructuring plan for BSNL. Besides, the government has allocated projects worth more than Rs 25,000 for BSNL which would offer a boost its market share as well as performance in the coming days.