West Tripura MP Biplab Kumar Deb has called for strengthening BSNL’s network connectivity in Tripura’s border and hilly areas while stressing the need to improve customer services. He also raised questions over the progress of 5G services in the state.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Telecom Advisory Committee (TAC) at the BSNL headquarters at Kaman Chowmuhani in Agartala on Saturday, Deb said the meeting would review the progress of issues raised during the previous TAC meeting. Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee and senior BSNL officials were also present.
Deb said the meeting would discuss BSNL’s infrastructure, customer services, employment, network expansion and other related issues. Possible solutions to the problems identified during the discussions would also be considered.
Highlighting connectivity problems along the international border, Deb said Tripura shares a long international boundary and several areas continue to face difficulties with mobile network services. He claimed that in some locations, Indian SIM cards do not receive network coverage for stretches of nearly 10 kilometres.
He called for the installation of additional telecom towers along the border, saying stronger domestic telecom connectivity was important not only for residents but also from a security perspective.
Deb further claimed that due to inadequate Indian telecom infrastructure in some border areas, signals from Bangladeshi mobile networks can reportedly reach up to around 15 kilometres inside Indian territory. He said the issue needed attention from a security perspective.
He also said that wider coverage of indigenous telecom networks could assist security agencies during investigations by facilitating access to relevant call records and other information, subject to applicable procedures and laws.
Referring to earlier restrictions related to international roaming in the Northeast, Deb said certain restrictions had been imposed in the past in view of militant activities. Although the restrictions were subsequently withdrawn, implementing the changes took some time. He said the issue has now been resolved.
On technological advancement, Deb said BSNL’s 4G coverage in Tripura has expanded significantly. However, he questioned whether the rollout of 5G services in the state was progressing at the expected pace.
He said he sought clarification during the meeting on why 5G services had not yet gained sufficient momentum in Tripura.
The TAC meeting, he added, would also assess the present status of issues raised earlier and identify matters that need to be taken up with the Central Government.
