State run telecom service provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) is looking to surrender its broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum to get a refund of Rs 4,533.97 crore, reports PTI (via NDTV Gadgets). The report states that this development was announced by MTNL Chairman and Managing Director A K Garg in a recent presentation to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and that the operator is taking this measure as part of its revival plans to improve its existing financial condition and start making profits from March 2013. MTNL currently has BWA Spectrum in Mumbai and Delhi Circles secured during the Broadband Wireless Access spectrum auction in June 2010. The operator had however posted a net loss of Rs 1093.7 crore for the quarter ending September 30, 2012 (Q2-FY13) and has been consistently posting losses since 2009-10. Navratna Status: The report also stated that MTNL has requested the government to not withdraw its Navratna status, which is awarded by the government to profit-making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Navratna status allows CPSEs to make investments of up to Rs 1,000 crore in any single project without any government approval and provides them with greater operational autonomy to compete in the global market. However, the government withdraws the Navratna status from the company if it registers losses for two consecutive years. MTNL had received the Navratna status in July 1997 and as of May 2012, Indian Government has awarded Navratna status to 16 CPSEs including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), Oil…
