BSNL

BSNL is expanding its indigenous 4G footprint and deploying 5G in Delhi (NDTV Profit, 18 Aug). Regulatory pressure persists, with the largest quality-of-service penalty at ₹57.5 lakh (NDTV Profit, 6 Aug).

What it means

BSNL is still buying its growth, through network and bundled plans.

Reported: Revenue +4.2% in Q1 FY27, with a net loss of ₹1,280 cr.

Watch: Q2 FY27 results, expected mid Nov — net loss wider than Q1's ₹1,280 cr.

Affected: Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea — subsidised prices to faceDo now: don't match BSNL's prices rupee for rupee while it buys its growth at a loss.
BSNL's device and network vendors — terms set by a loss-making buyerDo now: keep it on short payment terms until its loss narrows.

What to watch

est. = estimated from how fast BSNL last reported after quarter-end.

Momentum against rivals

BSNL and its closest rivals, grouped by the period each last reported. Each figure links its report.
Brand	Revenue, YoY	Net profit, YoY
Q1 FY27 · BSNL slowest of 3 on revenue growth, 13.8 points behind Bharti Airtel
BSNL	+4.2%	Net loss₹1,280 cr
Bharti Airtel	+18%	+37%
Vodafone Idea	+6%	Net loss₹3,754 cr
FY26, full year
Reliance Jio Platforms	+14.6%	Not stated
Net profit not stated in Reliance Jio Platforms' FY26 reports.

Not yet reported for Q1 FY27: Reliance Jio Platforms.

Also in the news with BSNL

Latest moves

Our read of each move first, where we have one; what the report said is marked Reported.

Private-sector candidates could bring turnaround and partnership expertise, making BSNL’s CMD selection a potential catalyst for vendor, infrastructure and technology alliances.Reported: The government is set to shortlist 29 applicants, including seven private-sector candidates, for BSNL’s full-time CMD role.18 Aug2 reports from NDTV Profit

All 26 stories on BSNL

Background

From 6 stories, the newest dated 2 Oct 2026. Summary written 3 Oct 2026.

BSNL is a mobile telecom operator in India that sells prepaid offers to new customers and runs 4G services, including a 4G network in Punjab. [1] source: Business Standard [2] source: NDTV Profit

Show 2 more paragraphs and 6 sources

On September 29, 2026, NDTV Profit reported that BSNL extended its Re 1 Freedom 2.0 offer for new customers until October 12, 2026. [2] source: NDTV Profit The First Recharge Coupon includes 1GB of data per day, 100 SMS per day, unlimited calls and a free SIM for 24 days. [2] source: NDTV Profit BSNL added 168,874 mobile subscribers in July and 250,000 in the six months to July. [3] source: The Ken [4] source: Financial Express In October 2026, Outlook Business reported that BSNL warned compliance costs and higher penalties could divert rural rollout funding, as TRAI proposed rebates for outages lasting more than 24 hours. [5] source: Outlook Business Business Today reported in September 2026 that BSNL revenue may begin in Q2FY27, with ramp-up taking six to nine months. [6] source: Business Today

A July 2024 Business Standard story, resurfaced in October 2026, said government sources put BSNL's Punjab 4G network at 8 lakh subscribers and planned a nationwide 4G launch starting in August. [1] source: Business Standard In the six months to July, Airtel added 22 million subscribers and Jio 14 million, The Ken reported. [3] source: The Ken

Sources

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Questions about BSNL

What is BSNL's current strategy in India?

In September 2026 BSNL extended its Re 1 Freedom 2.0 offer for new customers to October 12, 2026.[2] source: NDTV Profit In October 2026 it warned that compliance costs and higher penalties could divert rural rollout funding.[5] source: Outlook Business BSNL revenue may begin in Q2FY27.[6] source: Business Today

Stories that mention BSNL

2 stories

BSNL is named in these stories but is not their subject.