BSNL has reported a profit of Rs 262 crore for the October-December 2024 quarter, marking its first profit since 2007. This is a notable turnaround for the company, which has been struggling to break even for over 17 years.
The third-quarter results show a 15% year-on-year growth in mobility services, 18% in fibre-to-the-home services, and 14% in leased line revenue, all contributing to this positive financial outcome.
The company’s turnaround has been attributed to cost-cutting measures that led to a gain of Rs 1,800 crore compared to the previous year.
BSNL’s efforts to improve customer support by launching new services like National WiFi roaming and free entertainment for mobile customers have also helped boost its performance. According to BSNL CMD Robert J Ravi, the company has focused on service excellence, the development of 5G capabilities, and its ongoing digital transformation to stay competitive.
Several key factors have supported BSNL’s profitability, including multiple revival packages, the allocation of spectrum with no upfront cash payments, and capital infusion from the government. The government has also highlighted the company’s focus on innovation, network expansion, cost optimisation, and customer service improvements as key drivers behind its recent success.
BSNL’s total revenue from operations in FY24 stood at Rs 19,344 crore, and revenue for the first half of the year (April-September 2024) increased by 10.4% to Rs 9,235 crore year-on-year.