NEW DELHI: Former Nokia executive Tarun Chhabra is likely to become new Chairman of state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) following a recommendation by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) Friday evening, according to highly-placed sources. 

For the first time, the Centre is considering a private sector executive for a strategic public sector telecom company. 

However, Finnish gear maker Nokia is one of the vendors of state-owned BSNL.

In February 2018, BSNL and Nokia had signed a network modernisation agreement to support state-controlled telco's Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services in western and southern zones.

Later, BSNL adopted homegrown fourth generation or 4G technology supplied by a consortium of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tejas Networks and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).

Chhabra was working with Nokia as a senior vice president, and later elevated to a role of India head. Industry sources said that the executive is serving a notice period currently.

Previously, he worked with Samsung Electronics as Director for Network Business unit, and in 2017, Chhabra was roped in by Nokia to manage Reliance Jio business.    

Recently, the Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), headed by  Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) chairperson Mallika Srinivasan shortlisted Chhabra as its top choice for the coveted post after intense deliberations. 

Those appeared for interview included Anil Kumar Gupta, Director General - Telecom, Department of Telecommunications and Sudhakararao Papa, Director - Enterprise Business at BSNL.

Since July 2024, A Robert Jerard Ravi, a 1990-batch ITS officer, has been entrusted with the additional charge of BSNL Chairman after the exit of Pravin Kumar Purwar. 

Last month, Ravi's additional charge was extended by three months until January 15, 2027.