In a departure from its days of filing for bankruptcy, state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Tuesday reported a profit of ₹280 crore in net profits during January-March 2025 quarter, against ₹262 crore logged in the October-December 2024 quarter.
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters it was the first time in 18 years that the company had reported its second consecutive quarterly profit. “For the first time in 18 years, back-to-back quarterly profits, net profits, not operating profit alone, not even the positive margin alone, but net profit on a quarterly basis for the second time running after 2007,” he said.
With this, its overall loss in the just-concluded financial year 2024-25 reduced by 58 per cent to ₹2,247 crore from ₹5,370 crore in 2023-24.
In the third quarter, the company had posted a profit after tax of ₹262 crore, and in the January-March quarter of 2024, it had reported a loss of ₹849 crore.
The telecom operator’s audited results for the year ended March 31, 2025, were approved at the 243rd meeting of the Board.
“The sharp turnaround is testimony to professional management, government support and relentless focus on both the top line and the bottom line. BSNL is not just being revived, but redefined,” BSNL Chairman and Managing Director A Robert J Ravi said.
The company also reported stronger operating metrics, saying 27 of its telecom circles turned EBITDA-positive in 2024-25 (only 17 circles last year- 2023-24); 10 circles turned Profit After Tax-positive in 2024-25 (only 3 circles last year- 2023-24).
BSNL’s operating revenue rose 7.8 per cent in 2024-25 to ₹20,841 crore, as against ₹19,330 crore in 2023-24.
The growth from all core revenue segments – mobility, Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Leased Lines incl Ent, and Asset Monetisation – have increased when compared to last financial year.
BSNL anticipated that the outlook for the coming year will continue to show strong top-line revenue growth alongside a steady decline in operating costs -both critical to sustained profitability.
However, in the near term, higher depreciation and amortisation arising from recent spectrum acquisitions and heavy capex will weigh on quarterly results despite these solid fundamentals, it has forecast.
“Over the medium to long term, BSNL’s profitability prospects are robust, supported by the nationwide rollout of 4G/5G (use of Atmanirbhar equipment), 5G Network-as-a-Service initiatives, investments in core infrastructure and upgradation of backhaul aging fibres. Although profit after tax may be subdued next fiscal year because of the sizeable capex and spectrum infusion, these investments are expected to spur accelerated growth and profitability thereafter,” ministry of communications said in a statement.
“With disciplined cost control and accelerated 4G/5G deployment, we are confident of sustaining this growth trajectory and delivering affordable, high-quality connectivity to every Indian – to whom we are highly indebted. We will not be chasing profits as our end goal. We will be redefining telecom excellence in public service. When we consistently do the right things – provide excellent service, reach the unreached, innovate for inclusivity – profits will naturally follow as a byproduct of that excellence,” the BSNL CMD added in the statement.
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