BSNL Earns Over Rs 1,000 Crore from Tower Leasing in FY24

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) continues to bolster its revenue by leasing telecom infrastructure to private operators. In FY24, BSNL earned Rs 1,055.80 crore from this venture, showcasing a significant rise from the Rs 30.73 crore earned in FY11.

Major Lease Contributors

Reliance Jio leads among private operators, leasing 8,408 towers from BSNL. Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Bharti Airtel follow, leasing 1,568 and 2,415 buildings, respectively. This arrangement helps private telecom operators extend their services rapidly and cost-effectively.

BSNL’s Tower Network

As of March 31, 2024, BSNL boasts 67,340 mobile towers nationwide. The company has leased 12,502 towers to private telcos, state government entities, and MTNL. This strategic move enhances BSNL’s revenue stream while aiding network expansion across India.

Performance and Future Plans

BSNL’s mobile and landline services meet most Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, as reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). With equipment from Tejas Networks, BSNL is upgrading its infrastructure to launch 4G across 1 lakh sites by June 2025, marking a significant leap in service quality and reach.

Conclusion

BSNL’s revenue from tower leasing highlights its pivotal role in India’s telecom sector. The strategic partnership with private operators not only boosts BSNL’s earnings but also accelerates service deployment across the country, benefiting consumers and the telecom industry alike.