Naga Students’ Federation warns telecom operators over slow internet connection

Dimapur, June 11 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Friday expressed dismay over the “continued negligence” of the telecom operators in providing internet connection in the region, saying that students are bearing the brunt of their indifferent attitude.

The federation has asked the telecom service providers to provide quality network connectivity across the state, failing which it warned would be ‘compelled to take up necessary measures in the interests of the student community’.

It stated that poor network connectivity in the region is adversely affecting people’s daily activities, banks and other business establishments but students and teaching fraternity have been affected the most.

“Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of online academic classes, webinars and teleconferencing as means to adapt to the challenges and changes of the day, needless to say, poor internet connectivity have brought about much hardships and untold miseries upon the general populace who are being robbed of their paid services,” read the press release.

While questioning the business ethics of the telecom service providers in the region, the federation said that it has taken a ‘strong note of the numerous complaints from distraught students, aggrieved parents and concerned citizens alike’.

Highlighting the plight of the student community, the federation appealed to the telecom service providers to “immediately rectify the problems; provide quality network coverage and uninterrupted internet connectivity in all areas of operation in the state and to expedite the process of expanding telecom and hi-speed data services to rural areas currently not within the ambit of network coverage”.

Further, the student body lauded the initiative of the department of School Education (DoSE), Nagaland in launching online learning programme and online examinations. Meanwhile, it reiterated “its earlier stand that students should not be at the receiving end due to lack of access to technology and other disparities, which could well hamper their academic performance and their overall development”.