THESE days Internet is a fundamental requirement for everyone because of the coronavirus pandemic, especially when all educational institutions are closed and students and most white collar workers along with other employed persons are working from home. The need of the Internet is greater than ever before.

But, unfortunately, we the citizens of Aboha village, located at the gateway of Swat on the main GT Road, are deprived of fast Internet services. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), despite earning huge revenues, is reluctant to provide its infrastructure to streamline their services. This results in a slow Internet speed, which is unable to open even a static website.

On the other hand, cellular operators are unable to provide us 3G and 4G services. When Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is approached to lodge a complaint, it responds by saying ‘we are providing 2G services in your village’. This is beyond understanding in this digital age.

To increase productivity in education, technology and research, the regulators must ensure these operators provide smooth and quality services to its users. The PTA should also encourage the private Internet service providers to cover at least those areas which are located along at GT Road, leading to divisional headquarters of Malakand.

Syed Sahibullah Shah Aboha, Swat

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2020