Poor network coverage irks BSNL consumers

A Correspondent

SARUPATHAR, June 25: Despite several initiatives by the centre to boost cellular connectivity in the Northeast, with focus on Guwahati, the city still lacks seamless network coverage, users complained. Based on network coverage, the users of BSNL at Sarupathar are facing a lot of inconvenience. They allegedly fail to receive network for 6 to 8 hours a day. There are more than 5,000 BSNL users at Sarupathar and the collection of postpaid bills is more than lakhs of rupees in the Sarupathar area.

BSNL covers about 67 per cent of the State’s urban areas and about 50 per cent of the State’s rural areas compared to other mobile network. The network provider claims total coverage but consumers tend to lose network at several pockets in Sarupathar area. “Just providing network will not serve the purpose. Business establishments need high speed internet to operate. In this age of Digital India, call drops, slow internet and network congestion are common problems plaguing the BSNL consumers of the area,” said a disgruntled BSNL consumer.

According to sources, the network providers have complained that there is lack of cellular towers for which they cannot provide seamless network in Sarupathar area. In comparison to the other network providers, BSNL is providing only 3G network in Sarupathar area while others are providing 4G service. “The Central Government should take immediate necessary steps to improve BSNL network coverage in the entire Northeast,” said some BSNL consumers.