Thread by @dravirmani

Dispose of #MTNL immediately, before it sucks out more funds from the stomachs of the poor, and convert #BSNL into a utility supplying digital connectivity to every village in India, which govt & private sector can use by paying user charges: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india…

2/p If MTNL was privatized in 2003, decade of losses cld hv been avoided. MTNL service was so bad in 2013 that I switched to a private provider. Only usefulness of BSNL is its rural network, which cn b converted into a public utility(digital India). Rest cld hv been sold yrs ago.

3/p MTNL was formed out of BSNL in the hope that it could compete with the private sector in the two most profitable areas(metros) for telecom sector. It was an abject failure, despite the fact that private players had to pay for spectrum, while MTNL & BSNL got spectrum free!

4/p As member of @TRAI (2003-6)I had suggested BSNL open its rural network for use by all telecom providers for a regulated fee set by @TRAI, so that services could reach all rural areas rapidly & econimcally(Digital India pre). Wasn't accepted by BSNL/Telecom Commission/Ministry

5/p The above was combined with suggestion, (2) Use #USO fund to fill gaps in BSNL rural network to reach every village/habitation, (3)Zero auction price & revenue share for Rural spectrum (w pragmatic line defining/separating rural-urban) for Pvt (BSNL already 0)=>Not accepted