Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is planning to invest Rs 10 billion to upgrade its fixed line and broadband networks. The company is upgrading its network from three time-division multiplexing (TDM) technology to IP-based Next Generation Network (NGN) technology, which can provide both fixed line and broadband services from same telephone exchange.

The company is planning to convert 14 million telephone lines with NGN technology. This will cover more than 80 per cent urban customers and approximately 90 per cent of rural customers. BSNL is expected to roll out the NGN facility for its entire fixed line customers by December 2017.

Meanwhile, the government has reported that BSNL’s overall share in the mobile services segment has declined from 10.72 per cent as of March 31, 2012 to 8.62 per cent as of March 31, 2014. However, its wireless market share in Haryana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) circles has improved. While its market share grew from 13.5 per cent in March 2012 to 14.08 per cent in March 2014 in Andhra Pradesh circle, it grew from 13.29 per cent to 14.11 per cent in Haryana and 20.91 per cent to 21.67 per cent in Kerala, also during the same period. The government has attributed the overall decline in wireless market share due to competition in the mobile sector, aggressive marketing of services by the private telecom operators and inadequate investment in expansion and modernisation of its networks.