Telecom woes in Meghalaya persist

SHILLONG, July 17: Despite advancements in technology and communication, many areas in landlocked Meghalaya still lack adequate telephone or mobile network coverage. As of December 31, 2023, the state’s overall tele-density stands at 77.96 percent, with rural areas at 61.55 per cent and urban areas at 140.93 per cent. In comparison, the tele-density for the entire North East region is 80.16 per cent.
Tele-density measures the number of telephone connections per hundred individuals in a given area.
With regard to mobile network coverage, 86 per cent of Meghalaya’s 7,155 villages are covered, with 5,916 villages having broadband access.
Additionally, 41.59 per cent of the Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), or 3,133 BTS, have been fiberised.
In terms of data usage, Meghalaya consumed a total of 39,130 TB in 2022-23.
Addressing the issue of poor mobile network and data services, particularly in parts of Shillong, government sources cited low tower coverage and blind spots as significant factors. Meghalaya’s hilly terrain aggravates these issues.
Mobile companies in Shillong often attribute the poor network to the lack of space for installing towers, as residents are typically reluctant to provide land for this purpose.
Efforts to improve mobile services in Shillong include awareness programmes and demand-based interventions by key players such as BSNL, Airtel, and Jio. Sources indicate that more people are now willing to cooperate, with Dorbar Shnongs and local Headmen providing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and available space for erecting mobile towers.