NEW DELHI: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported a net profit of ₹262 crore for the October-December quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25 (Q3FY25).
The state-owned telecom services provider has returned to profitability in nearly 17 years.
BSNL saw a 15% rise in mobility service revenue, an 18% increase in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) revenue, and a 14% boost in leased line services revenue compared to the same quarter last year.
The company also reported a reduction in finance costs and overall expenditure, resulting in a decline in losses by over ₹1,800 crore year-on-year. This turnaround is attributed to aggressive network expansion, cost optimization measures, and a growing subscriber base.
Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia termed BSNL’s quarterly performance as a “significant turning point” for the company. “BSNL has posted a quarterly profit for the first time since 2007. This is an important milestone in the journey of India’s telecom sector,” Scindia stated.
He added that BSNL’s subscriber base had grown from 8.4 crore in June to about 9 crore in December, reflecting a steady increase in customer acquisitions.
“We are pleased with our financial performance this quarter, which reflects our focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and aggressive network expansion. With these efforts, we expect revenue growth to improve, exceeding 20% by the end of the financial year,” said A. Robert J. Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL.
To enhance customer experience and expand service offerings, BSNL has introduced various initiatives such as National WiFi Roaming, BiTV—Free Entertainment for All Mobile Customers, and IFTV for FTTH Customers.
The company is also focusing on service excellence, 5G preparedness, and digital transformation to strengthen its competitive position.
The company’s financial turnaround aligns with the Indian government’s efforts to revitalize the telecom sector.
Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹6,000 crore financial package to accelerate BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)’s 4G network expansion.
Under this initiative, around one lakh 4G sites will be deployed to enhance connectivity and network services nationwide.
BSNL’s improved financial standing is further reflected in its EBITDA growth, which has doubled from ₹1,100 crore to ₹2,100 crore over the past four years.
The company has installed 75,000 out of its planned 100,000 towers, with approximately 60,000 already commissioned. The remaining towers are expected to be operational by June, significantly enhancing BSNL’s 4G coverage across India.
Looking ahead, BSNL aims to maintain its financial discipline while continuing its service expansion. “We are confident that this momentum will not only increase revenues at the end of the fourth quarter but also keep costs under control and further reduce losses,” Scindia added.
