VEHARI, Jan 2: Constant problems in the use of Internet — disconnection and slow connectivity speed –- are affecting businesses and functioning of public utilities in Vehari and its adjoining areas.

Many people complained while speaking to this correspondent that they could not get their Computerised National Identity Cards even two months after submitting applications as the National Database and Registration Authority officials claimed that they could not transfer most of the data because of Internet problems.

Online banking is also affected and many scheduled banks are claiming that they are transmitting the data by snail mail. Equally perturbed are cell phone companies which face difficulties in activating SIMs.

Slow internet speed and frequent disconnections are a source of perplexity for businessmen most of who do transactions online. Journalists, too, have to go an extra mile to forward dispatches these days.

Many net users blame it on ISPs (internet service providers) which, they said, had outdated systems and limited lines. “If a person succeeds in getting the system connected, frequent disruptions not only irritate him but also cause the telephone bills to inflate”.

A net cafe owner, Chaudhry Khalid, told Dawn that connectivity problems were affecting their business as the people having no personal computers preferred to stay away. He said the ISP servers installed in Burewala, providing internet service to the entire district and adjoining areas, were insufficient to handle the burden. A separate server was very much required for the users here, he said.