In a bid to revive its manufacturing arm, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is mandating its telecom factories to move into production of equipment based on newer technologies including broadband modem and SIM cards for mobile phones.

BSNL has seven telecom factories which at present manufacture equipment such as coin box telephone for Public Call Offices and optic fiber cable accessories used by fixed line operators. BSNL is also exploring the option of entering into a joint venture for manufacturing CDMA based fixed wireless terminals.

The telecom factories with a combined turnover of Rs 550 crore are located at Kolkata, Gopalpur, Kharagpur, Jabalpur, Bhillai, Richhai and Mumbai. The move is in line with the Government’s strategy to shift all its telecom manufacturing companies to high-end technology equipment.