Won't sell BSNL; Centre to expand 4G services in two years

New Delhi: The centre has clarified that it does not plan to sell the publicly-owned Telecom service provider BSNL. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State in charge of Telecom, Sanjay Dhotra, said that there are no plans to privatise BSNL, but instead, 4G coverage would be made available nationwide in 18-24 months.

He added that BSNL had invited Indian companies in January to submit a proof of concept (POC)or register in advance for the upcoming 4G tender.

Additionally, he said that the public sector company would 'follow the applicable Rules/guidelines/Public Procurement orders of the Government, including Rule 144(xi) of the General Financial Rules, 2017, in this regard.