The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has cut off connectivity to Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular numbers over non-payment of fees for providing interconnection between fixed lines and cellphones
since October 14.
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has cut off connectivity to Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular numbers over non-payment of fees for providing interconnection between fixed lines and cellphones since October 14. DNA finds out how this has affected the subscribers.
Why should people suffer due to private operators?
I got a hint that there is some network problem since Saturday, but did not realise that it was due to an internal dispute between the BSNL and private mobile service providers. As a subscriber of Airtel, I pay my bills on time and if I am barred from calling any BSNL number, I feel cheated. As a consumer, I am not getting the services I have been promised.
I can understand if there is a temporary technical glitch, but this is an internal dispute between the BSNL and mobile service providers. Then why should customers suffer? Suppose if I am caught in a situation, wherein I have to call the emergency landline numbers of BSNL, what will I do then? The private mobile service providers should have given prior notice that we will be barred from calling BSNL landline numbers until the issue is resolved. Along with the mobile service providers, BSNL is also equally responsible for the inconvenience caused to the subscribers.
— Kapil Khunt, IT consultant
People are unable to reach me as I am a BSNL subscriber
I have subscribed to BSNL landline as well as cellphone facility. People are not able to reach me on both the phones. The private mobile service providers have a large customer base across the state and most numbers in my network circle are of these service providers. Those calling me might be thinking that my landline number is changed or I have discontinued the service. The matter must be resolved as soon as possible for the convenience of customers on both the sides. For example, my dish TV connection is not working since the last three days and the concerned company has not resolved the problem, despite my complaint. The excuse they have given is that they could not reach me on my landline.
— Kavita K, citizen
The matter must be taken up with TRAI officials
The BSNL’s stand has taken the mobile users, subscribed to Idea, Vodafone and Airtel, by surprise. I have been calling the Idea Cellular customer care number and they have no clue about when will this matter be resolved. I understand if such kind of problem exists for one day, but if this lasts for long, it could cause inconvenience to many people, especially with Diwali round the corner.
It is the responsibility of service providers to inform their customers about the problem in advance. Since private operators have not paid the BSNL dues, the customers have to face the brunt. I think the matter must be taken up with TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and officials from these private service providers must come out with a clarification.
— Aparna Salunke, citizen
BSNL was left with no option but to take this harsh step
BSNL had to take the harsh step of disconnecting the connectivity of private service providers like Airtel, Vodafone and Idea to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) landline numbers. The lack of responsibility shown by the private service providers in paying the bills has resulted to such a decision.
Being the operational unit, BSNL, Pune, is just following the orders received from the Mumbai circle office. I am also not sure when the issue will be resolved and the connection will be enabled. However as the principal general manager (PGM) of BSNL, Pune, I empathise with the customers who have to bear the brunt.
Moreover, it is not only the customers using the private telecom services who are facing such an inconvenience, even BSNL customers are affected.
— VK Mahendra, principal general manager, BSNL, Pune
If connectivity problem continues, it will hamper revenue generation
I am a Vodafone subscriber and was unaware about any connectivity problems existing between the BSNL and private mobile service operators. Since Saturday, I was not able to get through the BSNL landlines. I thought there must be a problem with the BSNL landline service. Anyways, it does not make any difference to me as most of my work happens through cellphone. However, this is bad news for those who want to call any emergency numbers like hospitals, police and fire services as these are all BSNL numbers.
— Aditya Rao, product & marketing manager
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