The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said it has referred to the telecom regulator the issue of 4G spectrum allocation to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), amongst a host of other initiatives in the hope of preventing a three-day strike by the employees and officers of the state-run telco.
“...for allotment of 4G spectrum, pursuant to decision taken in Digital Communications Commission (DCC) meeting held on 05.02.2019, the issue of spectrum allotment for providing 4G services to BSNL is being referred to TRAI to recommend on the issue of administrative allocation, quantum, price and appropriate frequency band,” said the government in a statement on Sunday.
“Further action will be taken on receipt of the said recommendation. In parallel, a comprehensive proposal for revival of BSNL has been prepared, which will be taken up for consideration by competent authorities very soon,” it added.
The DoT said it will continue to engage with BSNL management and representatives of the unions and associations of BSNL, to support their “reasonable” demands to avoid the strike by the BSNL employees.
It also hoped that the “BSNL employees and officers will not jeopardize the interests of their organization by going on strike at a time when it is in their own interest to protect their customer-base and revenue by providing uninterrupted, high-quality services”.

Sunday’ statement comes on the back of a call by All India Unions and Associations of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (AUAB) for a three-day's strike with effect from February 18.

The demands AUAB include pay and pension revisions, allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL amongst others.

The DoT and BSNL management have been engaged in discussions with representatives of AUAB on ways to address the various demands raised by the unions and associations, said the statement.

“It has been continuously emphasized by the Department of Telecommunications that Government recognizes the inherent strength and strategic position of BSNL in the telecom sector in the country. All efforts are being made, and will continue to be made, to make BSNL robust and financially viable,” DoT said.

Source: gadgetsnow.com