Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the issue of call drops to end.
The BJP leader asked officials to take steps to address the issue, while Telecommunications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked telecom operators to optimize networks to end this problem.
The prime minister said as call drops directly affects the common man, “steps be taken urgently to resolve the problem, and also to ensure that the problems in voice connectivity do not extend to data connectivity in the future,” said an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Modi directed officials to explore the possibility of leveraging existing resources, including railway and other communication infrastructure, to provide mobile connectivity in remote, and unconnected areas.
He also emphasized that the targets for digital infrastructure should be synchronized with the targets for the Digital India initiative.
Meanwhile, Prasad, in a press meet told reporters: “Government is proactive as far as facilitation is concerned. But telecom operators should rise to the occasion and address call drop issues.”
The minister said what the government required to do has been done and will be done in the future.
“Telecom companies need to optimise their network and install more towers. Government is proactively looking at permitting in-building solutions in large government buildings,” he said.
Prasad mentioned that it is not enough that the telecom companies will only add subscribers, it is also important for them to give quality services.
On August 18, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg asked CEOs of telecom service providers (TSPs) to improve quality of service by focusing on improving capital expenditure and optimising resource utilisation to curb the connectivity problems.
Earlier in the day new Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R.S.Sharma said the regulator will be out with a consultation paper on call drops in a fortnight. “Will look at disincentivising telecoms for call drops. Have asked telecoms to submit tariff plans that incentivize call drops,” he added.
IANS
