LAHDC Leh explores avenues of VSAT to resolve internet issues in unconnected areas

Leh, June 01, 2021: The Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, chaired a meeting with the telecom service providers such as BSNL, Airtel and Jio, to resolve the resurfacing issue of network connectivity in the Leh district.

CEC Gyalson shared that the Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated using the internet in all walks of life. As online classes/teaching has taken precedence over the schooling system, he reiterated that students with poor internet connectivity suffer the most as it hinders their online classes and even examinations. He stressed that the poor network connectivity in far-flung areas hampers timely teleconsultation with the doctors and even creates registration issues for the Covid vaccine.

CEC Leh stated that the connectivity issue is the most genuine grievance, especially in remote/far-flung areas such as Changthang, Nubra, Singay-Lalok, Urbis, Kanji and Skyu-Markha and others in the Sham region that needs early redressal.

Officials from BSNL, Airtel and Jio, presented their vision and plan for the Leh district. They also apprised the CEC and officials of their ongoing and upcoming works in the Leh district.

CEC Gyalson impressed upon the District Information Officer, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Phunchok Palden, and the representatives of service providers to explore the avenues of providing internet connection via VSAT in uncovered areas to redress their connectivity issues. He also directed them to find out the rental or cost of such VSAT connections. LAHDC Leh would bear the cost of these connections.

He also directed the telecom service providers, including Jio and Airtel, to complete their pending civil works on their already sanctioned towers under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) at the earliest. He impressed upon the service providers to resolve the poor network connectivity issues around Leh and the peripheral areas on time. CEC Gyalson also directed the BSNL representatives to immediately restore and reactivate all existing VSAT connections in villages that are not functioning well.

Member Parliament (MP), Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, shared his inputs and directed the telecom officials to build a local team for their survey and construction work to help them complete their tasks. He also shared that the Council and the District Administration would assist them in resolving their issues, including permissions.

District Magistrate, Leh, Shrikant Suse; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; DIO, NIC Leh, Phunchok Palden; representatives from BSNL, Airtel and Jio, attended the meeting.