According to R K Upadhyay, chairman and managing director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the operator needs to invest Rs 400 billion over the next five years to turn profitable.
In order to retain its market share, BSNL is required to provide 182 million connections by 2017-18. The loss making operator is expecting to register a profit Rs 350 million before tax by 2017-18.
Over the next five years, BSNL expects to add 40 million lines. To boost its revenues, the operator is focusing on its broadband business and is expecting to generate Rs 25 billion by monetising its surplus land assets. The operator is also expecting to boost its profits by hiving off a few of its real estate assets. Currently, it is awaiting the government?s approval for the same.
The loss making operator is expecting to register a profit Rs 350 million before tax by 2017-18. BSNL has approached the government for a bail-out package to reduce its debt.
