Telecom Lead India: BSNL has posted gross revenue of Rs
4,166.73 crore for the quarter ended 31, December 2011, down 11.19 percent
against Rs 4,691.86 crore for the quarter ended 30, September 2011.

 

For the quarter ended 31 December 2010, the Indian
Government owned BSNL’s gross revenue stood at Rs 4,294.59 crore.

 

During the quarter ended 31, December 2011, BSNL’s
wireless subscriber base stood at 96.76 million, increased 11.59 percent
against subscriber base of 86.71 million for the quarter ended 31, December
2010.

 

On the other hand, for the same period BSNL’s wireline
subscriber base stood at 23 million, declined 10.31 percent, compared to 25.65
million for the quarter ended 31, December 2010.

 

According to data released by Cellular Operators
Association of India, for the month of March 2012, BSNL added 0.89 million GSM
subscribers, taking its total user base to 94.68 million.

 

The gross revenue of the telecom industry for the quarter
ended 31, December 2011, was Rs 49,365.18 crore, up 15.3 percent against Rs
42,916.81 crore for the quarter ended 31, December 2010. However, in terms of
q-o-q growth, gross revenue declined 1.16 percent, as gross revenue for the
quarter ended 30, September, 2011 recorded at Rs 49,942.25 crore.

 

The cash-strapped BSNL is constantly vying with its
plunging subscriber base. Last year’s annual results raise worries of the
teleco, as its cash reserve dwindled to Rs 2,500 crore in 2010- 2011 from Rs
30,000 crore two years back.

 

Recently, BSNL posted 8 percent decrease in revenue to Rs 29,688
crore in 2010-11 against Rs 32,045 crore in the previous fiscal. Capital
expenditure for cellular during the period was Rs 8,138 crore.

 

The company’s net loss increased to Rs 6,384 crore in
2010-11 from Rs 1,822 crore in 2009-10. Loss before tax was Rs 6,578 crore in
2010-11 as compared with Rs 2,197 crore.

 

In order to boost its falling revenues, BSNL has started
multiple initiatives, which includes a partnership with Dimension Data for its Internet Data Centers (BSNL
IDC). The teleco is targeting revenues of Rs 100 crore in the first year.

 

Furthermore, the teleco will launch its voice and
video over broadband service for its consumers. The service will be launched
next week and facilitate its customers to have video chat over phone. The
facility has already been launched in Bhopal.

 

Danish Khan
[email protected]