State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has been assigned the highest credit rating - 'AAA (SO)' [Triple A (Structured Obligation)] by CARE Ratings for its long term bank facility of Rs 80 billion.

The rating is typically assigned to the instruments which are considered to have the highest degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations.

The 'AAA (SO)' rating will help BSNL in raising debt of up to Rs 80 billion from banks whenever it plans to as per requirement. Further, the loans will be given to the company at very less rate of interest as the credit rating is highest.

As per the data shared by the telecom ministry in February 2015, the loss making PSU is planning to invest an over Rs 110 billion to improve its services by strengthening network, modernising telephone exchanges and installing mobile towers in the naxal-dominated areas.