BSNL turns profitable for the first time in 17 years, Rs.262 crore net profit in Q3

In a historic turnaround, state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has posted a net profit of ₹262 crore in the December quarter of FY2024-25, marking its first quarterly profit in 17 years. Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia hailed this as a "significant turning point" for the company, attributing the success to service expansion, cost-cutting, and subscriber growth.

BSNL witnessed 14-18% revenue growth across its key services, including mobility, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), and leased lines, compared to the same period last year. The subscriber base also rose from 8.4 crore in June to 9 crore by December, reflecting increased customer trust in the telecom provider. Scindia confirmed, "BSNL has, in the third quarter of FY2024-25, posted a profit on a quarterly basis for the first time since 2007."

A major factor behind this revival has been BSNL's aggressive cost-cutting measures. The company reduced its finance costs and overall expenditure, cutting losses by ₹1,800 crore compared to the previous year. Additionally, its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) doubled over four years, reaching ₹2,100 crore in FY24.

To remain competitive, BSNL has introduced several customer-centric services, such as National WiFi Roaming, BiTV (free entertainment for mobile users), and IFTV (for FTTH customers). It also made history by launching India’s first private 5G connectivity for mining operations, positioning itself as an innovator in the industry.

Looking ahead, BSNL is focused on nationwide 4G expansion. The company has already installed 75,000 out of the planned 1,00,000 towers, with close to 60,000 operational. Scindia stated, "We aim to have all towers fully functional by June this year." This rollout is expected to enhance network quality and expand BSNL's reach, further solidifying its comeback.

With this financial turnaround and strategic investments in next-gen telecom technology, BSNL is set to compete strongly against private operators. Experts believe that if the current growth trajectory continues, the company could sustain long-term profitability, making it a key player in India’s telecom sector once again.