Mobile network being improved along B'desh border: BSNL

Rubbishing claims of private mobile service providers that the state-run company was unable to serve the North-East region properly, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has said that efforts were being made to improve their network along the Bangladesh border.

"The allegation is a ploy of the private operators to expand their range of service in Bangladesh and build up a fibre optic network using the Cox Bazar submarine cable to connect North-East," Chief General Manager (CGM) of BSNL North-East, Vinod Kumar said.

According to him, two Indian private mobile service providers have submitted a joint proposal to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in this regard.

"We are not incapable in providing service to the North-East. But we have to adhere to the orders of the Union Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to restrain our network within 500 metres of the international boundary," Kumar told reporters here yesterday.

The CGM also stated that the BSNL is in the process of erecting BTS Towers near the borders after the Ministry relaxed its directive of setting towers from within 10 km to 500 metres of the border areas.

"Earlier, there was a restriction by the Union Home Ministry to set up towers within 10 km from the international border. Now, the restriction has been reduced to only 500m. The new towers are likely to be erected shortly," he said.

Most people use the services of Bangla Grameen Mobile Company near border areas because of poor service of BSNL.

However, of late, some of the trading hubs along Indo-Bangla border areas of Meghalaya, Dawki, Shella, Mahendraganj and Baghmara, have been brought under BSNL's network.

Officials say inaccessible terrains and poor infrastructure has slowed down the expansion work.

BSNL authorities had earlier admitted that Bangladesh telephone network had taken advantage of the situation and anti-social elements were also using their network.