DoT’s plan to spur synergy among 7 PSUs

DoT’s plan to spur synergy among 7 PSUs

Context:

• The government unveiled a ‘strategic plan’ to enable seven state-owned companies under the Department of Telecom (DoT) to work closely with an aim of promoting greater operational synergy among them.

Introduction:

• These PSUs will also look at pooling in resources to address new business opportunities in Digital India, Smart City and Internet of things, and develop mechanism for sharing of revenues and expenses.
• The plan also includes effective utilization of human resources as well as land and building.

Action plan:

• The action plan covers MTNL, BSNL, Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL), Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipments (TEC) and BharatNet (BBNL).
• Under the plan, government has identified specific areas where teams will work on including manpower, settlement of legal issues and utilisation of vacant space.
• However, there were no plans to merge BSNL and MTNL for now.
• MTNL shares rose 7.78% to ₹24.25 per share while the ITI scrip climbed 2.13% to ₹126.90 on the BSE.
• The strategic plan, finalised after several discussions between all stakeholders, entails effective utilisation of human resources, optimum use of vacant space and promoting ‘Make in India’.

Training manpower

• Some units have excess manpower whereas others face a shortage.
•  Under the plan, the Centre intended to train and redeploy manpower.
• The strategic roadmap will also cover other areas such as standards and certification, and preparing to tap opportunities in areas like 5G and Internet of Things.