Telcos call for ease in restrictions as lockdowns disrupt services

ISLAMABAD: As the usage of internet has increased 15pc due to lockdowns imposed across the country, the service providers are finding it difficult to maintain smooth operations.

According to industry sources, owing to the closure of franchises and restricted movements amid stringent intercity and intracity travel ban across the country, the internet service providers are finding it difficult to mobilize technical support teams responsible for business continuity.

"Yesterday on Twitter, #ShameOnTelecomSector was trending with people demanding free data from local mobile operators. If mobile operators are finding it difficult to provide optimal data performance amidst a global pandemic and mitigating factors, is it wise [for people] to demand a free service, which will only end up choking networks?," a official telco official said.

In response to the same hashtag, Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim said, "We are all working very hard to keep essential services like communications and the internet fully functional under this lockdown. This is not easy work and requires everyone to be united."

In another tweet, he mentioned, "We want to minimize the risk of an uncontrolled surge in internet traffic at a time when support teams cannot add additional capacity & are restricted in their movement. Our priority is to provide affordable internet to everyone in these difficult times."

It may be noted that all four provincial governments have now imposed a lockdown (with some restricted movement) as a preventive measures to tackle the outbreak of coronavirus.

In Sindh and Punjab, the latest orders have brought life to a complete standstill. With the exception of hospitals, pharmacies, some grocery stores and selected bank branches (reduced timings), all other facilities are closed. Police and Rangers are patrolling the streets round the clock to keep a strict check on people stepping out of their houses.

Following the provincial governments, Islamabad District Administration has also suspended all activities, including public transport, public gatherings, shopping malls, restaurants, and public sector offices after the number of infected persons increased alarmingly.

According to sources, the lockdowns have prompted private companies to adopt a mandatory 'work from home' policy. With closure of schools and physical isolation becoming mandatory, telecommunication services, especially mobile internet, have become the only real source of entertainment and connectivity.

Apart from the purposes mentioned above, mobile phones and social networking have also become important for the spead of COVID-19 awareness across the globe.

Recently, Facebook and WhatsApp had partnered with international health organizations like WHO, UNICEF and UNDP to launch a WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub to offer actionable guidance, general tips and resources for the users across the globe to be well aware about the disease and hence limit the widespread rumours.

To take advantage of these resources, it has become imperative for the masses to have an active telecom service.

In Pakistan, the government, via Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and some local telecom operators, is spreading voice and text-based awareness messaging over SMS and caller tunes.

PTA is also assisting the Ministry of National Health Services to send SMS alerts to those who have been in close proximity with people tested positive for the virus.

However, despite repeated requests by the authoirty, the fedeand local governments have maintained a strict lockdown of telecom franchises, mobile retailers and mobile markets.

It is pertinent to mention that mobile phone retailers are particularly instrumental in terms of bill payments, mobile balance top-ups, money transfer, utility bill payments and other secondary services, while telecom franchises are the go to places for customers who aren’t tech savvy and require technical assistance with their connections.

"It would be great if the government could implement some effective measures to provide relief to the general public by allowing telecom franchises and mobile phone retailers to operate. This would not only ensure uninterrupted connectivity to the people but will also help them in remaining up to date with the latest happenings, as well as being connected with their loved ones across the globe," said an industry official .