BSNL employees are observing today as Anti-Disinvestment day, protesting against the government's plan to sell minority stake in the telco, domain-b reports. BSNL is in hardship, with net profit for FY09 falling 96.5% to Rs. 1.04 billion and revenues showing an 8.1% drop in revenues to Rs. 349.37 billion compared to last fiscal. Profits dropped due to higher staff costs, WSJ reported. Over the past four years, BSNL has suffered a plummet in net profits, from Rs. 89.39 billion in 2005-06 to Rs. 30.09 billion in 2007-08. The equity sale could bring in much needed cash and the IPO would be the first step in privatising and improving efficiencies at BSNL. 6.3M Landlines Surrendered, Rev Down 20.65% Revenues from wireline segment fell 20.65% to Rs. 11.5 billion in 2008-09. The company has been struggling with the problem of landlines being surrendered for years now, with increasing popularity of mobiles, competition and its own service levels falling below customer expectations. In the past three years, 6.3 million landlines have been surrendered and this year notches 342,000 already, Business Standard reports. Restructuring Measures To Tackle Downfall BSNL has hired market research body IMRB to study and offer solutions to check its plummeting landline subscriptions, and Boston Consulting Group to advice it on boosting sales revenues. BCG has suggested the company divide into separate marketing, sales and customercare divisions. Last year, MTNL and BSNL announced a list of measures to retain landline connections, which can be read here. The measures outlined: increasing of the broadband network and introducing Value Added Services…
