Mysore/Mysuru: Alleging delay in launching the 4G and 5G services though private service providers have already commenced providing the services, hundreds of Non-Executive employees of the State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), under the banner of All Union and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), Mysore Telecom District, Mysuru, staged a protest by forming a human chain in front of the BSNL Office at Jayalakshmipuram in city yesterday morning.

The protesters said that they were staging protest against the Centre’s lack of will to initiate 4G and 5G services under public utility and against the discriminative approach of the Centre and BSNL Management.

Convenor of Forum of Non-Executives’ Unions and Associations, Mysuru, K. Puttaswamy said: “They have stuck to the timeline of 18 months. Every time we ask about the progress, they say 18 months and we are certain that 4G infrastructure will not be ready in 18 months from now.”

He further said that the BSNL had lost many subscribers during the current financial year. “Private companies have been granted 5G licence when they do not even run a telecom company,” he argued.

Forum President Nagendra said: “We are also demanding 3rd Pay Revision and New Promotion Policy for Non-Executives working in BSNL. Along with this, BSNL, having 4G service, was a promise made in the Parliament.”

Protesters said that subscriptions were dwindling rapidly in rural areas where BSNL is considered to have a monopoly. “In the era of 5G, we do not even have 4G. Now with work from home being a common practice along with improved methods of study, how will the students, youths and adults cope with 3G data provided by BSNL,” they questioned.