History of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.
1986
- On 28th February Mahanagar Telephone Nigam limited was incorporated as a Public Limited Comp. under the Companies Act, 1956. The Comp. has been set up to take over the management, control & operation of Delhi Telephone District [Excluding public telegraph services] & Mumbai Telephone District of Department of Telecommunications & to plan, establish, develop, provide, operate & maintain all types of telecommunication services including Telephone, telex, wireless, data communication, telematic & other like forms of communication.
- One of important objectives of Comp. is to raise the necessary finance to meet its own developmental needs & also that of the telecommunications board of Department of Telecommunication.
- The Main objectives & aims of Nigam are as follows: [1s] To upgrade the quality of telecom services [2s] To expand telecom [3s] To raise necessary financial resources [4s] To provide new telecommunication services, particularly needed by business community & public administration such as Cellular Mobile Radio Telephone, Radio Paging, Fascimile Videotex, Teletex, Electronic Mail etc. [5s] To invest in Human Resource Development [6s] To organise & dovetail the training programmes.
- During November, the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam limited offered 15,00,000-14% & 10% secured redeemable non-convertible bonds of Rs 1,000 each for public subscription to partly meet the fund requirements of the capital expenditure programmes of MTNL & DOT envisaged for the year 1986-87. - Additional 7,50,000 bonds were issued to retain over subscription. 15,88,460-14% secured redeemable bonds were privately placed with the financial institutions & banks.
- All shares issued to President of India & of which 59,99,984 shares were issued without payment in cash.
1987
- 1,12,133-14% & 19,26,327-10% bonds of Rs 1000 each were allotted in February/March. The 14.0% & 10.0% bonds are redeemable after the expiry of 7 years & 10 years respectively from the date of allotment.
1995
- The entire junction network in the system was fibre based on a step to provide self healing machanisms to be built in the System through induction of SDH technology.
1996
- The Comp. floated on private placement basis 11th `A' part & 12th Series of bonds aggregating Rs 359.26 crores for developmental programmes of department of telecommunications.
1997
- The Comp. took various steps to provide a host of value added services like datacom, inet, DIDPABX, Voice Mail, Radio Paging and ISDN.
- In addition to phone plus facilities like dynamic locking, call waiting/call transfer, hot line etc. were extended to valued customers. Apart from this IVRS [Interactive Voice Response Systems] like local assistance changed number information, & falut booking system ensuring round the clock service, a CD-ROM version of telephone directory & an on-line directory enquiry through PC was introduced during the year.
- The Comp. undertook to provide, wireless in the local loop in Mumbai & Delhi, GSM Mobile Telephone in Delhi & Mumbai, B.CDMA pilot project, Induction of Smart Payphone & introduction of DLC optical fibre borne system.
- Payment of bills was made hassel free with the introduction of electronic clearing system & customer service management system for on-line payment & adjustment of telephone bills.
- The Comp. issued 7,00,000 No. of equity shares representing 3,50,000 GDRs [1 GDR = 2 sharess] at a price of US $ 11.958 per GDR.
1998
- As on 31st March, the waiting list of MTNL has 1047 in Delhi and Nil in Mumbai due to its sustained efforts & timely implementation of various projects.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd is considering a proposal to reduce the security, a Wireless in Local Loop [WiLLs] subscriber has to pay to Rs 15,000 from Rs 25,000.
- MTNL has proposed that a WiLL subscriber bank can stand guarantee for this security, effectively ensuring that there is no real outflow from the subscriber pockets.
- The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] board has approved a proposal for setting up a joint venture Comp. with the Telecom Consultants India Ltd [TCILs] for operating basic & cellular services.
- The Comp. is setting up a network in Kuwait. The project was awarded to TCIL in June 1997. In Comoros, the Comp. is using C-DoT exchanges for telecom network.
- The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] is developing a software to protect customers from telephone tapping & reading by external sources.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] launched the country first toll-free service in Delhi.
- The Comp. will be advertising to select an international joint venture [JVs] partner for its cellular phone service; MTNL will have a 51 per cent equity stake in the new company.
- MTNL will set up an integrated commercial accounting system with help from Tata Consultancy, Services.
- The state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] is all set to give a run to private cellular operators for their money by launching a 'low-tariff' mobile telephone service to cater to the salaried middle-class & students.
- Within a few weeks of listing, the MTNL [Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltds] GDR issue was voted as one of top 10 Best International Equity Issue in 1997 in a poll conducted by Euroweek International Equity Review, the respected international business publication.
- In the polls, MTNL secured the awards of 10th best international equity issue of 1997; fourth best Asian equity issue of 1997; and second best Indian equity issue of 1997.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd., is undertaking a restructuring plan to ward off competition & streamline costs.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] is holding parleys with banks, FIs & mutual funds for making a private placement of bonds worth Rs.450 crore.
1999
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam [MTNLs] has proposed a cash-and-stock deal to the Department of Telecommunications [DoTs].
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] has proposed a joint venture with Telecom Consultants India Ltd [TCILs] to become the second basic telecom services provider in West Bengal & Jammu & Kashmir.
- The Department of Telecommunications [DoTs] & Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] have shot down the Delhi & Mumbai cellular operators' proposal for an out-of-court-settlement of litigation of MTNL entry into cellular services.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] on Tuesday entered into direct competition with another state owned public sector unit Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd [VSNLs] for Internet services by offering a 15 per cent lower tariff.
- International telecommunications provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited [VSNLs] will enter the national long distance telephony segment when it is opened up for competition in 2000.
- Mahanagar Nigam Telephone Ltd [MTNLs] on Wednesday released the new telephone director called Phone Book 1999 after a gap of four years.
- The MTNL Board has proposed a stock option price of around Rs. 85 per cent share to the department of telecommunications [DoTs] as against the market price of around Rs. 85 per share to the department of telecommunications [DoTs] as against the market price of around Rs. 170 before the recent political upheaval.
- State-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd is expanding the wireless in local loop [WLLs] network, both in Mumbai & Delhi up to 50,000 and 10,000 subscribers respectively. In Delhi, they are expanding the network to 10,000 from the existing 1,000 subscribers. In Mumbai the network would be expanded to 50,000 subscriber.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] has proposed that the government should dovetail its disinvestment programme of $100 million Global Depository Receipt [GDRs] issue with the company plan to become the first Indian firm to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange [NYSEs] within the next three months.
2000
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] tied up with MasterCard International to pioneer the acceptance of credit cards for payment of telephone bills.
- The Comp. will do the soft launch of its GSM-based monbile services in Delhi & Mumbai.
- The Comp. is likely to be listed on New York Stock Exchange next month with the public sector telecom giant getting clearance from the bourse.
- The Comp. has proposed increase in the pulse rate of local call for the internet usage to five minutes from three minutes to make internet usage affordable.
- The Comp. will launch its cellular service in Mumbai from August 15.
- The Comp. has awarded the Rs 32 crore contract for Fixed Wireless Terminals for its CDMA network in Delhi.
- The Comp. & American Express travel related services entered into alliance for india first co-branded telecom credit card MTNL American Express credit card. - The Comp. will mull a tie-up with portals rediff.com & satyamonline.com at a meeting.
- The Comp. has setting up both basic & cellular services in Nepal.
- Telecom services in the national capital of Mumbai were partially affected due to one day token strike by non-executive employees of the company demanding revision of pay scales, perks & allowances.
- The Employees of Comp. in New Delhi went on a one-day strike on 4th June demanding revision of pay scales & perks. The staff threatened to go on an indefinite strike from July 11.
- The Proposed strike of Comp. staff unions has been deferred to 21st July.
- The state owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam limited will set up a submarine cable landing station.
- The Comp. has to explore possibility of entering a joint venture with another state owned Comp. Videsh Sanchar Nigam for just opened Long Distance telephony.
- Narendra Sharma has been appointed as the new chairman & managing director of company.
- The Comp. has opened two additional customer service centres at Chembur in Mumbai.
- The Comp. will expand its 'common man' mobile telephone network by 50,000 new lines in the current financial year.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited to launch its cellular phone service in Mumbai in January next with a subscriber capacity of 1,00,000 lines.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam limited has transferred its Internet Service Provider Category-A licence as well as Internet business to its subsidiary, Millennium Telecom.
2001
- MTNL is to develop a dedicated division to spearhead its cellular operations in Delhi & Mumbai.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited [MTNLs] will introduce a cash card for its cellular subscribers within two months of starting its cellular Operations on Jan. 31.
- The Comp. Chairman Narinder Sharma has bagged the international 'Millienium Man of Year' award, instiutted by international award committee of Wisitex Foundation.
- Dolphin, the much-awaited cellular service of MTNL, was launched in Delhi on 6th Feb.
- The Comp. proposes to provide additional net switching capacity of 3.30 lakh lines & to deploy 50,000 lines of CDMA-based WLL technology during the year 2001-02.
- The Comp. & Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited have both signed memoranda of understanding with the Department of Telecommunications outlining their performance agenda for coming financial year.
- The Comp. has tied up with Billjunction.com to provide online bill presenting & payment facility to its customers.
- The Comp. will have a roaming facility in its cellular service, Dolphin, by end of this month
- The Comp. has tied up with WorldTel to offer basic telecom services in Bangaladesh as part of corporation proposed move to diversify into overseas operations.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited [MTNLs] has roped in ICRA to chart out a strategy to leverage the human resources of telecom company
- The Delhi High Court has upheld the appointment of Narinder Sharma as chairman-cum-managing director of MTNL, saying there was no merit in a writ petition challenging it.
- Dolphin, the cellular service promoted by State-owned telecom operator MTNL, seems to be catching on.In October, Dolphin registered 13,000 new subscribers in Mumbai, increasing its base to 33,000. Around 30 per cent of these new connections have defected to Dolphin from incumbent cellular operators, Orange or BPL, according to MTNL officials.
- IDBI Bank has forged an alliance with MTNL in Delhi to help the Acc. holders of bank to pay their phone bills through ATMs & Internet.
2002
-Announces its launch of Wireless in Local Loop [WLLs] service in Mumbai
-Launches its pre-paid cellular card 'Trump' with tariffs 50 per cent lower than that of private players in Delhi & Mumbai
-Govt. pemits MTNL, BSNL to compete in basic services
-Sets up a new software venture called ComSoft for developing communications software, as a part of its strategy to offer value-added communications software in e-commerce, e-governance & intelligent networking
-IDBI Bank signs MoU with MTNL for bill payment
-Announces unlimited cell calls for Rs 1900
-MTNL stock price records nine-year-low of Rs 95
-Announces new codes for MTNL consumers in Delhi
-MTNL stops sales of its pre-paid card Trump
2003
-Misses WLL-M expansion deadline in Delhi
-Partners with RailTel Corporation of India limited to offer telecom bandwidth vide optical fibre cable [OFCs] along its track network
-Announces free incoming calls
-Formulates VRS for employees
-Department of Telecommunications [DoTs] signs Memorandum of Understanding [MoUss] for 2003-04 with Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs]
-Slashes number of free calls
-Forms Joint Venture with VSNL & Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd [TCILs] to provide Basic and WLL telephone services in Nepal
-Trai rejects MTNL new WLL tariffs
-Cuts down cellular tariffs to take on private sector competition
-Awards WLL-M handset contract to Kyocera of Japan
-Reduces tariff rates by 50% on CDMA services
-Shelves global long distance plan
-Approves VRS for its employees
-Gets licence for providing telephone service & ILD services in Mauritius
-Joins hands with Nokia, Samsung for WLL handsets
-Launches new tariff plan where the monthly rental will be Rs 100 & the call charges will be Rs. 1.90 per minute
-Launched a new scheme offering a fixed line telephone connection for Rs 100 per month, on which the customer can access free incoming calls. For outgoing calls, the customers will have to use Virtual Credit Cards [VCCs]. Thus, the offer introduces a hybrid post-paid cum prepaid arrangement for a fixed line phone.
-1. Shri Narinder Sharma - ceased to be CMD wef October 31, 2003 on retirement from service on attaining the age of Superannuation. 2. Shri R S P Sinha - Director [Fs] has been entrusted the officiating charge of post of CMD for a period of 3 months wef November1, 2003. 3. Shri i C Srivastava - ceased to be the Director wef October 8, 2003 due to death 4. Shri P C Rawal - ceased to be the Director wef October 29, 2003 5. Dr J S Sarma - appointed as Govt. Director in place of P C Rawal wef October 29, 2003 6. Smt Monika Arora - tendered her resignation wef November 11, 2003 & ceased to be the director from the said date.
-MTNL has come out of its 'negative trap' with its fixed-line subscribers outgrowing surrenders, even as it launched a new scheme, 'Plan 160', for basic telephony subscribers.
-MTNL has informed that Shri AK Girotra & Shri RL Dubey, Executive Director Delhi & Mumbai respectively have been appointed as ex-officio directors on the Board of MTNL wef December 19, 2003
-MTNL unveils 'Economy Plan' for WLL services
2004
-MTNL launches new schemes for ISDN subscribers
-MTNL unveils SMS facilities on its landlines for its customers
-MTNL bags licence to offer telecom services in Mauritius, Kenya
- MTNL & BSNL have entered into a strategic alliance, under which the two public-sector telecom companies will jointly offer their voice & data services
-MTNL limited has informed that Sh. A. K. Girotra, & Sh. R.L. Dubey, Executive Director, Delhi & Mumbai respectively have been appointed as ex-officio directors on the Board of MTNL w.e.f. December 19, 2003.
-Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] on January 09, 2004, announced a special tariff plan for basic service users with Rs 160 monthly rental aiming at low end users. Under this special plan, there would be no free calls as available under other tariff packages.
-ITI queries on MTNL deal with Huawei
-MTNL bags award for excellence in cost reduction
-MTNL awards GSM line contract for Motorola
-Mahanagar Telephone Nigam has launched new leased line services, with both 'full' & 'compressed' bandwidth circuits, for port speeds ranging from 64 kpbs to two mbps
-MTNL join hands with BSNL to target corporate clients
-MTNL unveils value added services [VASs] for landline customers in Mumbai
2005
- Consumers will get access to high-speed Internet services from Jan 14, onwards for as low Rs 500 a month, with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd & Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd launching its broadband services across the country.
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd latest voluntary retirement scheme, which closed on January 31, 2005, has somewhat come a cropper with only around 2,000 employees, out of its total staff of around 58,000, applying for it.
-MTNL rolls out Rs 1,000 cr tender for 3G services
-Red Hat partners with MTNL CETTM centre
2006
-NLD licence for MTNL
-MTNL teams up with Aksh Opticfibre for IPTV
2007
- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd [MTNLs] has appointed Shri. S P Pachauri as Director [H Rs] on the Board of MTNL w.e.f. December 06, 2007.
2008
-Mumbai: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd has joined hands with Contakt Tech Solutions India for Express alert, a new value added service for MTNL subscribers
- MTNL ha launched the next generation 3G technology-based telecom services in Delhi. The service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by receiving a video call from Telecom Minister A Raja, who was also present at the function.
