Arunachal: Lack of internet connectivity hinders growth amid the pandemic

Decades back, South Korea became the first country in the world to consider internet connectivity as essential services or basic amenity. Every household in the country has internet connectivity boards installed at home by default. South Korea is amongst countries that have the cheapest rate for internet data and the economic benefits through the step are for the world to see. In contrast, things are going the opposite way for Arunachal Pradesh.

Mobile network, specifically 3G and the 4G connection is one of the most essential services. The internet plays a vital role in ensuring that people stay in contact regardless of the physical barriers. Most business connections and relationships would die without the internet. It may not be equivalent to face-to-face communication, but the internet allows people to maintain important relationships.

Internet gives access to information, knowledge, learning, connectivity, communication, sharing, address, mapping, and contact information along with banking, bills, and shopping, selling and making money as well as
collaboration, work from home, and access to a global workforce. It also involves donations, funding and

During pandemic the stability of internet connectivity is utmost necessary for all the initiatives undertaken by the government such as awareness regarding COVID - 19, online education/ distance education and submission of various forms for jobs,business etc etc. It also involves communication between parents and stranded children all over the country since the lockdown period.

But unfortunately, the speed of the internet connectivity has drastically gone down beyond a tipping point of usability. Even the helpline number of companies like Airtel, Jio and Vodafone are not functioning.

The users who subscribe slash purchase monthly data package expires without even ten percent usage of the alloted data. The lack of sensibility shown by these mega million dollar companies is appalling, to say the least.

Almost all the townships of Arunachal Pradesh are suffering from the disease of non connectivity. There are instances where the front line warriors with their mounting responsibilities are unable to connect within their colleagues which may have dire consequences.

There is an ardent appeal from all walks of people to various authorities for improvement of internet connectivity. The netizens are yet to experience better connectivity in this face of lockdown.

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People also have the apprehension about the likely conspiracies of revenue sharing between by the Internet Service Providers by choosing and rejecting locations.

However, most of the users use more than one ISPs to balance internet blackouts in Arunachal Pradesh. It is frustrating on the part of users to keep on purchasing different SIM cards where the public ultimately becomes the loser in the overall fight for better connectivity. It is high time for the service providers to show sensibility and commitment to its subscribers. The internet connectivity is no more considered a privilege.

In the prevailing lockdown which created economic slowdown due to restrictions of movement, the internet connectivity would be considered paramount in restarting the economic activities. The ISPs must come out of their shell of inefficiency and start behaving like a pillar for economic growth by tightening their loose ends.

Miao, in Changlang district, Arunachal is one of the most affected towns where internet irregularity is a routine. It is not understandable why the service providers here are so irresponsible.

The government regulatory bodies must also be active enough and not succumb to the faulty tactics adopted by these so-called company giants. The district administrations must take immediate steps for better internet services.

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