ITANAGAR, Dec 19: Information & Public Relations Minister Bamang Felix has asked the telecom players here to improve digital connectivity in the state.
“Many districts like Kurung Kumey, Kra-Daadi, Dibang Valley and Anjaw still do not have cellular connectivity, and the existing ones need to be improved,” the minister said during a review meeting on the network connectivity status in the state with BSNL, Airtel and Vodafone representatives at his office here on Wednesday.
The minister requested the service providers to “take extra interest” in connecting these unconnected areas and improve the existing service.
Emphasizing on erection of new mobile towers in unconnected regions, Felix said the state government has already framed a policy to provide land and right of way to improve network connectivity.
“Road, rail, air and digital connectivity is on the top chart of the government. While road, rail and air connectivity has got a major boost in recent times, development of digital connectivity is gradually taking shape with the BSNL and private players like Vodafone and Airtel giving utmost importance to enhance cellular connectivity in the state,” Felix said.
He assured to provide support for effective management of cellular service in the state, and emphasized on completion of network connectivity works within a timeframe.
The representatives of the cellular companies enumerated the challenges being faced by them during setting up of network services due to tough terrain and other related issues. However, they assured to give their best service to the people.
Meanwhile, the BSNL agreed to share its tower with Airtel and Vodafone, in view of the difficulties faced by both the service providers in finding feasible land for installation of mobile towers/poles.
The Airtel representative agreed to shift its ‘cell on wheels’ tower from Nyapin in Kurung Kumey district, as the tower has been hampering landing and taking off of helicopters as it is very near to the helipad there.
Among others, IT Special Secretary Prince Dhawan, BSNL Additional GM Arun Siram, BSNL DGM SN Lakra, Airtel ZSM Yogesh Yadav, and Vodafone corporate affairs GM Sanjib Bora were present at the meeting.
