THIS is with reference to a string of letters, like ‘Cellular ‘robbery’ (April 14) and ‘Signal boosters’ (Feb 12), and reports, like ‘PTA seeks end to illegal GSM booster imports’ (Feb 18). The menace is clearly on the rise and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is believed to be not just aware of it, but has taken serious action at least in Islamabad against people using illegal signal boosters.

It is a matter of relief that the buying and selling of these devices have not only been declared illegal, but the authorities are also willing to take action against the culprits.

It is, however, sad to see that these boosters, repeaters and amplifiers are still being sold openly in many markets across the country. In Lahore, for instance, I continue to see shops near Hall Road selling these devices illegally and blatantly without any check on them from the authorities concerned.

I have in the past also suffered from the extreme frustration these devices cause. They were widely used in my neighbourhood, because of which I was deprived of good network quality. In this newly digitised era, thanks to Covid, a struggling and stuttering internet network has enough potential to make one’s life miserable, which indeed was the case with not just me but with the entire locality except of course the households that were using such illegal devices.

In an environment where people have to work from home, study from home and have to depend on home-based entertainment to get some level of relief, a life without cellular signals is complicated. At times it is just not worth living.

The PTA and all relevant authorities should take action against the shops in Lahore and elsewhere which are selling these signal boosters that cause inconvenience to helpless, law-abiding citizens.

Zorain Haider

Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021