BSNL dying, now even cops don't want it!

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Then ever ending queues to pay bills, once so visible before BSNL offices, have now disappeared and now comes the disappointing news that the Karnataka police department itself, with an aim of getting better connectivity, has decided to switch to Reliance Jio Services from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) which has drawn the ire of both BSNL employees as well as citizens.

The state government has even granted permission to port about 38,347 SIM cards to police officials already, sources told News Trail. A circular released by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) (communication, logistics and modernisation in Bengaluru) Soumendu Mukherjee recently, stated that the government has approved the change of service provider for Closed User Group CUG/Beat SIM cards from BSNL to Reliance Jio and a work order for the same has been issued to Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.

It is said that Reliance Jio has been selected as an alternate service provider after a commercial evaluation according to Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999.

Objecting to the decision made by the police department, the BSNL Union claims that BSNL is in the best position and has the past experience of rolling out mobile networks in difficult terrains with complete professionalism.

"It is requested that the work of providing coverage to the police and railways should be given on nomination basis to BSNL, which will be carried out with Indian designed and manufactured equipment," a member of the Union told News Trail. Another member pointed out that BSNL is India's own telecom company which has a scope to provide the needed secured connectivity to all departments including police.

"With the help of the government, the services can be improvised. But instead, by favouring private companies, they are letting BSNL die," the member said on condition of anonymity. Sources from police said that while private companies have already rolled out 5G services.