The Department of Telecom (DoT) unveiled a strategic plan on Thursday for bringing together state-owned companies and organisations in the sector for promoting greater operational synergy among them.

The action plan covers Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Indian Telephone Industries Ltd (ITI), Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL), Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipments (TEC), BharatNet (BBNL)."

"Under the plan, we have identified specific areas where our teams will work on including manpower, settlement of legal issues and utilisation of vacant space. I am pleased to see the focus on clearly-defined timelines and performance indicators," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said at a press conference.

He emphasised it is "critical" that substantial and tangible progress is made under the strategic plan in the next six months.

A review mechanism at DoT will keep the plans on track, Sinha added. The work on this strategic plan began in January 2016.

The plan includes the creation of a common platform for web-based online training by BSNL, in a time bound manner, operational utilisation of vacant space, land, and buildings within telecom PSUs and organisations within DoT, and promoting Make in India by taking advantage of preferential market access policy.

Sinha also clarified that there were no plans for a merger. They will only collaborate to benefit each other.

Also, the telecom PSUs will refrain from going to court against one another and, instead, first approach DoT for dispute resolution.

Areas like standards and certification, and preparing to tap opportunities in areas like 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) will also be covered.