Jamshedpur, Dec. 4: Connectivity problems have left BSNL subscribers lost in translation.

Leakage in optical fibre cables laid underground is said to be the major cause for disruption in connectivity and BSNL subscribers (both mobile and landline) are the worst hit.

Reliance and Airtel subscribers of the city are also facing connectivity problems.

“I am required to in constant touch with my clients. But I have been experiencing poor connectivity problems. The phone suddenly gets engaged and produces strange sounds,” said Rahul Kumar, a businessman.

BSNL’s overall service, especially mobile, has been poor in the past two weeks. Officials at the Secondary Switching Area of BSNL said the optical fibre cables have developed a leakage at Mango and Adityapur. BSNL deputy general manager Sunil Kumar blamed agencies involved in road construction and civil work. “Optic fibre cables laid by us have been damaged as agencies pay little attention while carrying put construction work,” he said, admitting that mobile and landline services have been affected.

He claimed that BSNL uses top quality cables and equipment and hence there was no room for a system failure. Road construction across the city has damaged optical fibre cables used for landline connection. “Connectivity is bound to snap if there is the slightest damage is made to these cables,” Kumar explained.

BSNL’s Jamshedpur area covers twin districts of Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan. According to sources, under BSNL’s Jamshedpur area, there are 1,89,512 mobile phones users while 83,009 subscribe landline subscribers. While 19,000 subscribers have opted for the WLL (wireless local loop).

Sources said that under the Jamshedpur area 107 base transmission stations towers have been installed for transmitting waves. When the cables are damaged due road construction, mobile phone services are automatically affected. But sources said there are 45 WLL towers in the city but it has no system for underground cables. Problem of poor connectivity does not arise unless the WLL towers are not damaged due to lightening.

“Although we have an alternative support system for keeping the service operational in case cables get damaged, the standard of service cannot remain satisfactory,” said a senior BSNL official.

Competition in the telecom sector has also aggravated BSNL’s problems. Few months ago, a man was allegedly found cutting the BSNL’s optical fibre cables in Noamundi only because a private operator would pay him Rs 500 for the act. BSNL had lodged an FIR with the local police station in this connection.