Bureau Report
Port Blair, Mar 12: The internet connectivity in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has become a constant source of frustration and disappointment to Islanders. The situation is so bad that often broadband works slower that Dial-Up network and 3G devices do not even get proper signals.
This is not only causing inconvenience to net users but also causing serious losses to business owners. Worst hit are cyber café owners and travel agents. Situation in remote Islands is even bad.
The BSNL has given more than 4000 Broadband connections to people in Andaman and Nicobar Islands knowing fully well that the bandwidth is limited, this has jammed the network and almost killed speed of internet.
“It’s like driving thousands of cars on a narrow road. The bandwidth is limited and subscribers are increasing day by day,” said an angry subscriber of BSNL Broadband service.
When contacted the Chief General Manger, of BSNL Mr. V K Sanjeevi told Andaman Sheekha that the technology is different in Andaman. Unlike Mainland where connectivity is from tower to tower, in A & N Islands the signal goes to satellite and comes back to land and it takes time and this is the reason for slow internet.
“Basically we are controlled by satellite link. Out bandwidth is very limited and it is very expensive too. The solution will be to increase the bandwidth slightly but spare capacity is not available with us,” the CGM told Andaman Sheekha.
He added that the work for Sub-marine cable is on and the Administration is looking after it. “If the work is completed these Islands will get faster internet connectivity. The project may take more one and a half years and we are hoping positively,” he said.
Mr. Sanjeevi also told Andaman Sheekha that demand for addition bandwidth for Andaman and Nicobar Islands have already been placed and it is expected to get some more bandwidth for these Islands and after that speed of internet in will surely increase. Islanders can only hope that all these efforts will bring positive results soon for A & N Islands, as because of the slow internet connectivity in these remote Islands is badly hit.
I am Jagdish living in bambooflat a village in ferrargunj tehsil
1 month before I have set up a broadband connection with 500Rs monthly plan but I am very disapointed to say that the speed is drastically slow and sometimes I feel that my 2G mobile network is
Faster than broadband and there is no 3G netwok in the entire area
which is the cause of frustration of people here as there are not able to browse net at the normal speed
I request the concerned authority to do needful arrangement and provide 3G network as soon as possible
I am Jagdish living in bamboo flat a village in ferrargunj tehsil in-spite of previous reminders even though there is no change in the network connectivity in bamboo flat it is still pathetic and most of the time the network speed is so slow that dial up seem better in bamboo flat there is not even a single 3G tower. I request the concerned authority to install 3G towers as soon as possible