For the first time in 17 years, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported a net profit of ₹262 crore in the December quarter of FY2024-25. This marks a significant milestone for the state-owned telecom company, which has long struggled with financial losses. Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia described the achievement as a “significant turning point,” crediting the revival to service expansion, cost-cutting measures, and an increasing subscriber base.
BSNL witnessed revenue growth of 14-18% across its key services, including mobile connectivity, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), and leased lines, compared to the same period last year. The company also saw a notable rise in its subscriber base, climbing from 8.4 crore in June to 9 crore by December. Alongside revenue expansion, BSNL significantly reduced financial costs and other expenditures, cutting its overall losses by ₹1,800 crore year-on-year. Over the past four years, its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) has doubled, reaching ₹2,100 crore in FY24.
A major factor behind BSNL’s revival has been its strategic focus on new services and 4G expansion. The company introduced innovative offerings like National WiFi Roaming, BiTV (free entertainment for mobile users), and IFTV (exclusive content for FTTH customers). Additionally, BSNL became the first provider in India to offer private 5G connectivity for the mining sector, further strengthening its service portfolio.
The company is aggressively pushing its nationwide 4G rollout, a crucial step to compete with private telecom operators. As part of its plan to install 1,00,000 towers, BSNL has already set up 75,000 towers, with nearly 60,000 of them commissioned. The full implementation is expected to be completed by June this year.
BSNL’s recent profitability is a testament to its evolving business strategy, which balances modern technology adoption with financial prudence. The company’s turnaround signals a strong revival, positioning it as a more competitive player in India’s rapidly evolving telecom industry.
