4G service not available in suburbs of Quetta
Syed Ali Shah :
Consumers continue to suffer because of poor mobile networks in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. Despite tall claims of availability of 4G service, most of the consumers complained that only 3G is available in the outskirts of this mountain-ringed city.
“4G has become a dream for the people of Sariab bypass”, Faisal Haider, one of the famous technology experts tells Quetta Voice. Like Faisal, most of the youngers have been facing the issue of poor internet and mobile service.
Especially students have been facing problems in their studies due to poor internet service. The government claimed to have provided better internet and mobile facility. However, ground realities negate the government’s claim. Residents of Hazara Town, Nawan Killi, Kuchlak, Nohsar, Sariab Bypass, Eastern and Western Bypass have been complaining about poor net supply and mobile service.
“This is an injustice with students of Balochistan”
“This is an injustice with students of Balochistan”, Muhammad Salman, a student of higher education lamented. He said most of the students could not complete their homework owing to poor internet service in the suburbs of Quetta.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced the provision of 4G in the Mekran belt of Balochistan province during his recent visit. Availability of 4G service was one of the key demands of the people of the Mekran division.
“We are trying to ensure the provision of 4G in Mekran belt”, a senior administration official said. He requested anonymity.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan had also assured improving better internet and mobile facilities to facilitate the students of the province. “Our efforts are on for the promotion of information technology”, he stated.
“No signal or weak signal in remote-areas of Balochistan”
No signal and weak signal is almost the order of the day in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. In remote areas of Balochistan, consumers are facing the issue of no service and weak signal. “Despite repeated attempts, we are unable to establish a call”, Muhammad Dawood, a resident of Pishin district said. He said his village lies almost 20 km north of Pishin.
Mr. Dawood mentioned that some of the villagers come to Pishin bazaar to get connected with the outer world on Facebook and Twitter. “No we are addict to social media but unfortunately net supply is weak”, he added.
Students organizations also launched a protest campaign against the government after the high education commission announced online classes across the country. This announcement was made after the outbreak of the COVID19.
Poor internet service impacts online classes in Balochistan
Educational institutions in Quetta hardly managed to conduct online classes because of poor internet service and poorly trained technical staff. Except for few educational institutions, most of the colleges and universities preferred not to launch online classes in Balochistan.
In view of the growing need for information technology, all male and female students have demanded of the government to make sure availability of 4G internet in Quetta and other far-flung areas of Balochistan.
