Explainer | How Can MTNL and BSNL Make the Most of Their Merger?

On October 23, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad announced the merger of two government-owned telecom operators BSNL and MTNL.This came after it was reported earlier this year that the government may sell its stake in BSNL and MTNLThis merger has also come after there were protests from the workers of BSNL which had started on the 10th of October.The government plans to revive the struggling companies through a four-step plan:1) Rs 15,000 crore in sovereign bonds will be raised 2)Rs 38,000 crore of assets will be monetised over the next four years.3) Voluntary retirement will be offered to employees for which Rs 29,937 crore is allotted for VRS covering 50 per cent of their employees 4)The two firms would be allotted 4G spectrum worth Rs 20,140 crore and Rs 3,674 crore for goods and services tax (GST) that will be levied on the allocation of radio waves. The Wire spoke to Rajan Mathews, Director General of COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India)and it's Founding Editor to understand more about this merger.