The Rs 1.64 lakh crore package may have given state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) a boost, but analysts and former business executives say the road to its revival is difficult because the loss-making telecom remains well behind private sector rivals.

The announcement of the rescue plan for struggling BSNL came as private telecom companies were getting ready to roll out next-generation 5G services, but BSNL was yet to introduce 4G mobile services.