Jio and Airtel Have Competition Now! BSNL Returns to Profitability After 17 Years, Check Details

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has returned to profitability for the first time in 17 years, posting a net profit of ₹262 crore in the third quarter of FY25. The turnaround marks a significant milestone in the company’s revival efforts.

A. Robert J. Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, attributed the financial success to strategic cost-cutting measures and strong revenue growth. "With these efforts, we expect revenue growth to improve further, exceeding 20% by the end of the financial year. Additionally, BSNL has successfully reduced its finance cost and overall expenditure, leading to a decline in losses by over ₹1,800 crore compared to last year," he said.

4G and FTTH Expansion Fuel Growth

The company’s return to profit follows rapid 4G and fibre optic deployments. Among key growth drivers, mobility service revenue grew by 15%, Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) revenue rose by 18%, and leased line services saw a 14% year-on-year increase.

To enhance customer experience, BSNL has introduced new services such as National WiFi Roaming, BiTV – Free Entertainment for All Mobile Customers, and IFTV for All FTTH Customers. Ravi emphasized that a continuous focus on quality service and customer assurance has helped strengthen BSNL’s position in India’s telecom sector.

Government’s Financial Support Plays a Key Role

BSNL’s revival has been strongly backed by the government, which has sanctioned multiple financial aid packages in recent years. In 2023, the Cabinet approved a revival package of ₹89,000 crore. Earlier, in 2021, the government provided ₹1.64 lakh crore in support, and in 2019, it authorized a ₹69,000 crore package. The total assistance across these three packages amounts to over ₹3.22 lakh crore.

Market Share and Future Prospects

As of November 30, 2025, BSNL holds an 8.03% market share with a subscriber base exceeding 92 million (92,051,809). With a renewed focus on service innovation and expansion, BSNL aims to further strengthen its position in India’s competitive telecom landscape.