Cash-strapped BNL is relying on its tower business to turn its fortunes around. The state owned company in its performance review meeting with telecom minister Kapil Sibal on November 16 has indicated that as one of the measures to increase its revenues, said that it is planning to raise  Rs 1,600 crore from its tower business over the next five years. The company is planning to hive off its towers into a separate company.

Sam Pitroda Committee had recommended to hive-off company’s tower business into a separate a company and suggested it to market its infrastructure related to 70,000 towers to public and private sector customers. It also suggested to unlock whole/substantial potential value through strategic stake sale, mergers and acquisition or separate IPO (Initial Public Offer).

The company is also expecting to rake in Rs 500 crore by leasing its CDMA network, and rolling out WiFi networks or hotspots across the country in the first year which is likely to be doubled from next year onwards.
 
The company is eying Rs 400 crore by providing broadband connectivity to 15,000 schools by March 2013 and Rs 250 crore per annum by renting out its land and buildings. It also expects to garner  Rs 40 crore yearly from Wi-FI networks while its telecom factory could fetch Rs 100 crore in FY 2014-15.
 
BSNL is also demanding a Rs 6,724.5 crore refund for its surrendered broadband wireless airwaves in six regions.
 
BSNL in its presentation said that its estimates indicate that its revenues for the year-ended March 2013 would be around Rs 25,384 crore, down 9%% as against Rs 27,944 crore during 2011-12.