Telecos to face action if services not improved in two months

Lucknow: Telecom companies were on April 15 pulled up by Lucknow District Magistrate Rajshekhar who issued a stern warning to them, saying they should improve services within two months or face action.

"In past six months, it has been observed that signal strength, voice quality, 3G services, remote place connectivity of your companies are deteriorating, affecting lakhs of consumers," the DM told the telecom companies.

"Action under provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 could be initiated against you (telecom companies) after two months if services are not improved," he said. Rajshekar said he has written a letter in this regard to regional managers of the telcom companies including Vodafone, Airtel, Aircel, Telenor, Idea and Reliance.

The DM said no attempts were being made by these companies to improve service and strengthen networks due to which problems of voice break, congestion, calldrops and poor internet connectivity is witnessed.

"You know that at time of disaster better mobile and internet connectivity is needed and it is your duty to provide it. If any problem is witnessed in disaster management due to poor connectivity, action can be taken against you under provisions of the Act," the letter said.

A review will be made after two months by an independent agency about the services and if due to poor services problem is faced in dealing with law and order or disaster management, action could be taken, the DM added.