The government on Wednesday said that public sector telecom firms -- MTNL and BSNL -- will not be privatised.
Dayanadhi Maran, the new IT and telecommunications minister, also announced a 10-point agenda, including revamping the telecom policy, to reduce the cost to customers.
"Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will not be privatised. They are off the divestment list," Maran said immediately after assuming office in New Delhi.
He said he would like to revamp the telecom policy so as to take full advantage of the latest technological developments, with a view to taking the country's communication services forward and make facilities truly world class.
Listing out the priorities of his ministry, Maran said he would like to see the growth of broadband since the use of Internet and broadband facility were still limited in India.
"I shall be studying some recent recommendations (of TRAI) in this regard," he said.
There was a need to re-introduce the Convergence Bill and encourage manufacture of telecom equipment, he added.