Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has commissioned a new mobile tower at Bankar, Sikkim for Indian Army. BSNL announced this news via its Official Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Bankar is the highest altitude post of Indian Army, situated at an altitude of 16,400 feet from mean seal level which is considered to be the world’s highest altitude military camp. BSNL is also having a telephone exchange in Gnathang Village in Sikkim which is said to be the highest altitude telephone exchange of India located at 14,000 feet.
#BSNL is proud of commissioning the BTS site at Bankar, Sikkim, the highest altitude post of the Indian Army. We are committed towards the nation & it’s people.
Posted by BSNL India on Thursday, October 15, 2020
#BSNL is proud of commissioning the BTS site at Bankar, Sikkim, the highest altitude post of the Indian Army. We are committed towards the nation & it’s people. pic.twitter.com/sEA8fe1dgs
— BSNL India (@BSNLCorporate) October 16, 2020
BSNL / MTNL Services made mandatory for State Government and Central Government Departments by DoT
As we reported earlier, DoT has made telecom services of state run telecom operators – BSNL & MTNL mandatory for all central government departments, ministries, CPSEs and Autonomous Bodies. Now in another letter addressed to Chief Secretaries of all State Governments, DoT has instructed to utilize the telecom facilities and services offered by BSNL and MTNL by all departments / agencies / PSUs of the State Government for internet, broadband, landline and leased line requirements.
DoT letter dated 12th October 2020 to Chef Secretaries of All State Governments read as follows: –
BSNL and MTNL are Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the administrative control of Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. BSNL and MTNL fulfill the communication needs of most of the Government Departments including the Armed Forces. For the majority of the Banks and Financial Institutions, core banking network requirement is also met by these PSUs. Both BSNL and MTNL are reliable service providers under control of Government of India and BSNL also has a vast rural network.
The letter also said that, the Central Government has already approved the mandatory utilization of capacities of BSNL and MTNL for internet, broadband, landline and leased line requirements by the Central Government Ministries / Departments and accordingly orders have been issued to all central government departments / units all over India.
BSNL Revival Package by Central Government
As we all know, Central Government has decided to revive both BSNL and MTNL since these two telecom companies are considered to as strategic assets of India. BSNL/MTNL are providing connectivity needs in nook and corner of the country even in highly difficult terrains. Communication needs of our Armed Forced / Paramilitary Forces are also met by these two PSUs with utmost care and importance. BSNL is also providing Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS) to our disaster recovery teams and security forces at the time of national calamities / floods / landslides etc.
Recently, BSNL succeeded in raising Rs 8500 Crore via sovereign bonds guaranteed by Government of India. BSNL CMD assured that, the amount realized through sovereign bonds will be used for Debt Re-financing and meeting the CAPEX requirement of BSNL. The raising of Government Guaranteed Bonds of Rs 8500 Crores is also a part of the Cabinet approval of BSNL Revival package
Dear readers, please share your views and opinions about BSNL Services via comments with us. How many of you believe that, existence of BSNL is essential for ensuring stability in Indian telecom market?
