After delaying the 4G mobile services licence to the BSNL for 10 long years, the Union Government had forced the public sector telecom player to go for ‘not-so-efficient’ quality telecom equipment in the guise of self-reliance through indigenous technology, complained Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan.
He was talking to the media after chairing the Telecom Advisory Committee meeting organised by BSNL Madurai on Thursday. Theni MP Thanga Tamilselvan, Dindigul MP R. Sachithanantham and BSNL General Manager P. Loganthan were among those who took part in the meeting.
Mr. Venkatesan said while private players were given the 4G licence way back in 2016, the BSNL was given the licence only in 2025. The private telecom operators were allowed to import telecom equipment which were technically superior. But, the BSNL was asked to buy only indigenous equipment.
“As a result, customers of the BSNL 4G services were facing interruptions in voice calls. The Union Government’s patriotism has not provided a level playing platform for the PSU,” he added.
Mr. Sachithanantham said the customers could not use their old feature phone to access 2G voice calls through the newly-launched 4G towers.
Besides, poor power backup facility in the BSNL mobile towers was frequently causing service disruptions to the customers, he added.
The BSNL General Manager said 228 of the 577 towers in Madurai BSNL required to replace batteries for uninterrupted power supply and generator sets in 165 towers needed to be replaced.
The Dindigul MP said the single line underground cable in remote parts of ghat sections in Dindigul district was causing major disruptions in telecom services.
“Even a landslide in any part of the ghat section is disrupting telecom services in the entire hill areas due to lack of alternative underground connectivity. We have suggested laying of an alternative cable to Pannaikandu,” he added.
Mr. Loganthan hoped that the batteries procured centrally would arrive by December-end. At least 40 gensets would be replaced in the next one year, he added.
Published – November 06, 2025 08:20 pm IST
