Employees of state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are set to launch a nearly two-month-long protest starting May 16, citing serious concerns over delays in the 4G/5G rollout, underperformance in FTTH and enterprise services, and persistent execution challenges in the government’s BharatNet project.
In a letter dated May 1, 2025, addressed to BSNL CMD Robert J Ravi, the Bharatiya Door Sanchar Manch (BDSM) — a collective of BSNL employee unions under the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) — blamed ineffective management and vendor-related issues for the ongoing network delays. The letter warns that these problems are driving mass subscriber exits to private telcos, resulting in significant revenue losses.
“Despite government backing, the rollout continues to face hurdles due to mismanagement and unreliable vendors. The lack of stable 4G/5G services and daily network disruptions are pushing subscribers away, impacting our bottom line,” the letter stated.
Out of the 16 packages under BharatNet Phase III, around 50% have already been awarded to a mix of private and public entities such as RVNL and ITI Limited, but progress remains sluggish.
The employee unions also expressed frustration with BSNL’s performance in the FTTH and Enterprise Business (EB) segments. Basic service issues, they claim, are being ignored, further weakening BSNL’s position in an increasingly competitive market.
Also Read:
BSNL and ACES India Enable Uninterrupted Mobile Connectivity in Kanpur Metro’s Underground Corridors
Quoting TRAI data, the unions said BSNL’s temporary advantage post the July 2024 tariff hike has eroded due to subscriber churn caused by network instability.
Despite these challenges, the employees highlighted recent positives — notably, BSNL posted a net profit in Q3 FY 2024–25, marking its first profitable quarter in nearly 17 years, with a record revenue performance in March 2025. However, they argue that these gains are being undermined by poor strategic execution and unresolved HR grievances, including issues around pay structure, promotions, and employee benefits.
“It seems the management is deliberately keeping employees in a state of unrest to deflect from deeper organizational failures,” the unions wrote.
The protest will begin with a signature campaign on May 16, leading up to a three-day sit-in (dharna) at all BSNL corporate offices from May 15 to May 17.
