NEW DELHI: State-run telecom giant BSNL on Tuesday reported a net profit of Rs 280 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, marking its second consecutive profitable quarter after nearly two decades. The turnaround comes a year after the company posted a loss of Rs 849 crore in the same quarter.“For the first time in 18 years, back-to-back quarterly profits, net profits, not just operating margins, for the second time running after 2007,” Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said while addressing reporters.BSNL had posted a profit after tax of Rs 262 crore in the October-December quarter of FY25. The company’s cumulative loss for the full financial year has now narrowed sharply to Rs 2,247 crore, from Rs 5,370 crore in FY24.BSNL chairman and managing director A Robert J Ravi attributed the performance 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,” Ravi said, adding that the company is focused on cost discipline and accelerating 4G and 5G deployments to maintain momentum.“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,” he added.BSNL’s operating revenue rose 7.8% year-on-year to Rs 20,841 crore in FY25, up from Rs 19,330 crore in the previous year.The ministry of communications noted that while profitability could moderate in the short term due to increased capital expenditure and spectrum investments, the long-term outlook remains strong. It cited nationwide 4G/5G rollouts using indigenous equipment, network-as-a-service initiatives, and backhaul fibre upgrades as key drivers of future growth.The ministry also highlighted BSNL’s ongoing asset monetisation programme, which nearly doubled its proceeds last year and is expected to generate additional funds to support infrastructure expansion.
