Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)’s outdated franchisee policy is beginning to adversely affect the operator?s mobile business across Assam and the Northeast. Moreover, this issue is compounded by the Department of Telecommunications making it mandatory for operators in the region to sell new connections through the franchisee route.
Currently, BSNL is selling new connections, recharge vouchers, top-ups across the Northeast through its 100-odd authorised franchisees. As a result, the operator is losing market share, as the franchisee network established by the competition has better reach.
According to industry estimates, BSNL?s market share was down to 6-7 per cent in the region, compared to Aircel, Bharti airtel, Vodafone Essar and Reliance Communications, who have a collective market share of over 60 per cent in the Northeast.
To stem losses, BSNL has asked its local 4,000-odd staffers in the Assam circle to sell mobile connections against a fixed commission of 20 for every five connections sold.
