BSNL's subscriber base decline is expected to cease in October or November 2023, as stated by telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In addition to announcing the third relief package amounting to `89,047, Vaishnaw emphasized that BSNL will soon be capable of competing strongly against private telecom operators. He affirmed that the deployment of 4G and 5G networks will put an end to the loss of subscribers.

BSNL has been experiencing a decline in its subscriber numbers, with private telecom operators capturing a significant share of the market. As of March 2023, BSNL held a mere 9.27% market share, with 103.68 million subscribers in the mobile segment, while competitors like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea held a combined 90.73% market share. During that period, BSNL lost over 50,000 subscribers.

Similarly, BSNL ranks third in the wireline segment, with a market share of 25% as of March 2023. Experts attribute this decline to BSNL's lack of a 4G network. However, the minister assured that BSNL has initiated the rollout of a 4G network, starting with 200 sites, and plans to launch an average of 200 sites per day after a three-month trial period.

The minister further highlighted that BSNL has been adding over 100,000 new connections each month, with the total home fiber subscriber base reaching 30.88 lakh in May 2023. BSNL has also taken over the mobile service operations of its debt-ridden counterpart, MTNL, in Delhi and Mumbai. The company aims to introduce its 4G and 5G services in these areas within the next year.

BSNL Chairman and Managing Director PK Purwar confirmed the takeover of MTNL's mobile service operations in Delhi and Mumbai. When questioned about the timeline for launching 4G and 5G services in these regions, Purwar mentioned that they would become available in about a year.

In summary, during the announcement of the third relief package worth `89,047, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence that BSNL would be able to rival private telecom operators within a year. Vaishnaw reiterated that the implementation of 4G and 5G networks would halt the decline in BSNL's subscriber base.