State-owned telecom operator MTNL has reported a net loss of Rs 703.17 crore for the quarter ended June 2017 (Q1-FY17). Losses increased from Rs 634.8 crore in the preceding quarter. In the same quarter last year, MTNL had made a loss of Rs 718.02 crore. The company has been posting continues losses with a quarterly decline in income, especially after the launch of Reliance Jio’s unlimited calling and data offers. The govt had earlier considered merging BSNL and MTNL in Lok Sabha in March this year to save the company from a possible shutdown. But the proposal now stands nullified: In a Lok Sabha reply this month, Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha said that “there is no proposal for merger of BSNL and MTNL”. The DoT instead classified MTNL as a ‘weak central public sector enterprise’ and has initiated revival/restructuring/closure road map for MTNL. Some highlights from MTNL’s QFY17 earnings: Overall operational revenue: 657.22 crore, a decline of 6% QoQ from Rs 705.17 crore in Q4FY16. In the same quarter last year, MTNL posted overall revenues of Rs 813.45 crore. Basic (Fixed line and Broadband) revenue: Rs 556.67 crore, a decline of 5% QoQ from Rs 589.85 crore in Q4FY16, and down 9% YoY from Rs 612 crore. Basic (Fixed line and Broadband) losses: Rs 296.57 crore in Q1FY17, compared to a loss of Rs 312.05 crore in the same quarter last year. Cellular segment revenue: Rs 101.87 crore, a marginal decline from Rs 116.79 crore in the previous quarter. On a YoY basis, cellular revenues…
