BSNL inks tower sharing agreements with multiple operators

Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNL) has inked tower-sharing agreements with Tata Teleservices Limited, Etisalat DB, Videocon Telecom, Bharti airtel, Aircel and Reliance Communications. The operator has also asked the heads of all its circles to respond to the tower renting requests of these companies on a priority basis.

It is believed that BSNL’s top management is not in favour of spinning off its tower assets into a separate subsidiary. Currently, BSNL has 60,000 telecom towers located across the country. Keeping in mind that most of these towers are idle, especially in B and C category circles, BSNL hopes to generate revenues in excess of Rs 10 billion by sharing its towers.

BSNL will ink service level agreements offering its tower premises, DC power support and antennae fixing slots to the private operators. It is believed that the incumbent is likely to charge each operator Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 as monthly rent.