5 G or slow-ji

After the cellular revolution that swept the country during 1995 and which belatedly arrived Nagaland in 2000, there is still much expected of the services from the towering giant BSNL and recent private entrants to the field. No doubt the microwave traversing across the region get impeded by geographical bearers and get weakened. The mobile and internet services under BSNL North East Circle II continues to deteriorate, while private service providers manage to keep their networks satisfactorily. BSNL, despite having the largest network, manpower, and resources, seems reluctant to perform. Once a dominant government-run behemoth with no competition, BSNL ruled the market while private operators had no foothold. However, nearly two decades after private players entered the industry, they have surpassed BSNL in most cities and continue to expand into other parts of the country, including Nagaland. In the northeastern, hilly states of India, mobile and internet connectivity remains a persistent challenge. As one moves through different regions, the signal gradually weakens and, in many areas, disappears entirely. Even in places where connectivity exists, the quality of service is often poor, making basic internet usage frustratingly difficult. The shift from 2G to 3G , then 4G and now 5G raised hopes of significant improvements, but in reality, the internet speed remains sluggish and unreliable. For residents, students, and businesses, this inconsistent connectivity poses major obstacles. Online education, digital banking, e-commerce, and even simple communication become difficult tasks. Many people are forced to travel long distances or find specific spots where signals are stronger just to make calls or access the internet. The terrain of the region, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, contributes to this ongoing issue. Despite government initiatives and private telecom providers promising better coverage, large parts of these states remain underserved. The digital divide persists, leaving people struggling to keep up with the rest of the country’s technological advancements. Reliable and high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and urgent action is needed to bridge this gap. Much has been said about the Northeast in the context of the Act East policy and the Prime Minister’s push for Digital India, emphasizing improved connectivity and communication. However, the ground reality tells a different story. Internet and mobile services in the region remain highly unreliable, failing to match the ambitious promises made by policymakers. One of the major challenges is the overburdened infrastructure. The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) links in the Northeast are severely congested due to capacity overload, exacerbating connectivity issues. It’s a fact that , Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the primary telecom provider in many parts of the region, struggles with poor service. Outside of major cities like Guwahati and Jorhat, BSNL’s network fluctuates between being barely functional and completely dead, leaving residents with little to no access to reliable communication. While new private players such as Reliance Jio Infocomm, owned by Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, have entered the market, the overall situation remains grim. Despite promises of high-speed internet and expanded coverage, the reality is far from ideal. In the recent budget, the government allocated Rs.33,757.58 crore to BSNL, a 59 per cent decline form the Rs.82,916.20 crore allocated in the previous Budget, though it only managed to spend Rs.72,027.65 crore. Without significant investment in infrastructure and better management of existing networks, the dream of a digitally connected Northeast will remain unfulfilled.