Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 23 February 2022
BSNL, the lone mobile network service provider in Great Nicobar has failed to solve the issue of distortion during calls for months now. The residents of Great Nicobar are so fed up with the BSNL Mobile Network that they have even stopped complaining about the distorted calls now.
At times people are unable to understand anything that the person on the other end of the line is speaking. It becomes very frustrating for people when they have to speak to someone urgently as even after 5-10 calls, they are unable to convey the message.
Many people are using normal voice calls as a way to notify the other person, that they want to speak to them. The other person then finds a WiFi network and calls them back on WhatsApp.
The quality of service is almost non-existent in Great Nicobar, the residents are managing anyhow and they feel helpless. Fortunately, the FTTH Broadband service of BSNL works just fine and people are able to keep in touch with their family and friends online.
Nicobar Times called up the Sub-Divisional Officer (BSNL), Nicobar and we informed him of the problems being faced by the residents for months now. Surprisingly, the SDO did not know of the issue and informed us that he will get the network checked at different locations at Campbell Bay.
People are now so fed up with the bad quality of service that they have stopped expecting anything from BSNL. Many residents are eagerly waiting for Airtel to start its services in Great Nicobar so that they can switch to a better network.
BSNL has been a lifeline for the remote Islanders for so long and the Islanders have a special place for BSNL. The company should focus on improving its quality of service to retain that special place. Residents will switch to other telecom service providers, at the first chance, if BSNL is unable to improve its mobile network.