BSNL to get into managed services

MUMBAI: Telecom monolith Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) is finetuning its business strategy to become an information and communication technology (ICT) services provider. In one of the biggest-ever expansion of service offerings, the PSU is looking at providing managed network services (MNS) to boost revenues and leverage its vast wireline network spread across every nook and corner of the country.

BSNL is also talking to various companies for forging tie-ups to offer these services. The entity has held discussions with Hong Kong���s PCCW Global and IT and telecom service provider Cisco Systems, which has also partnered with Bharti Airtel for similar offerings. PCCW provides international data services to multinational corporations.

���We are planning to provide managed services to enterprises. We will bundle connectivity with value-added services. Enterprises and especially small and medium businesses will be our target market,��� BSNL CMD Kuldeep Goyal told ET. Managed network services typically include voice/data integration services, Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, network management, performance management, guaranteed service levels, fault management, change management, configuration management, security (firewalls), application outsourcing and data centre services.

MNS is a typical progression for telecom operators that have big networks. ���IT and telecom needs of enterprises are huge. Our aim is to become a one-stop shop for all their requirements in terms of voice, data, networks, security and applications besides others,��� BSNL DDG (enterprise business) Sunil Kumar said.

According to Accendia Consulting principal analyst Alok Shende, BSNL is in an advantageous position for offering MNS. ���BSNL has robust fibre optic networks across country and these can be leveraged to offer managed networks services to enterprise. Besides, the company will have easy access to public sector companies as clients.

This will give BSNL certain surety in terms of getting business,��� he said. The managed network services space is set to see a lot of action following a shift in the strategy of enterprise from telecom capex to an opex model. ���Telecom operators which can differentiate themselves with high-margin managed services will gain a competitive advantage over others,��� Mr Shende said.