Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Directs BSNL Brass To Only Deploy Indigenous Tech In 4G, 5G Rollouts: Report

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed the top leadership of state-owned BSNL to only deploy indigenous tech in roll outs of 4G and 5G services.

The minister made it clear that the Telecom PSU will have no choice but to use “only and only technology developed in India” for its 4G and 5G rollouts, reports Business Standard.

In a meeting with chief general managers and other employees of BSNL last weekend, the minister reportedly also noted that anyone in the public sector telecom firm having “loyalty” for other 4G, 5G gear vendors should either forget them and move forward or leave the company.

He also stressed on parallel work on 5G rollout along with the rollout of BSNL's 5G services.

Further, the minister noted that once C-DoT, the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications, is ready with 5G technology, the telecom PSU should start integrating 5G radios on the network with 4G.

Vaishnaw also gave the BSNL top brass a target to more than double company’s mobile subscriber base to 200 million through both 4G and 5G services, according to sources quoted in the Business Standard report.

In the meeting, which was convened just days after the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 1.64 lakh crore revival package for BSNL, Vaishnav also warned BSNL employees to shed 'Sarkari' attitude and perform their best or they would be made to compulsorily retire and sent home packing.

The minister reportedly warned the 62,000-strong workforce of BSNL that there should be no doubts regarding the ultimatum issued.

“You have to do what is expected of you. Otherwise, pack up. You should not have any doubt on this. This will be the norm, and this will be the new normal – perform or perish,” Vaishnaw was quoted by Times of India as saying.

“People who do not work are free to take VRS and go home. If they show resistance in taking VRS, we will use 56J (a rule used to order premature retirement)… So, you have to perform the best, or be ready to pack up and go home. That’s absolutely clear. Don’t have any doubts about this in your mind," he said.