While the praises of 5G networks resonate amidst the high-rises and urban hustle of the cities, the reality in rural villages and suburban towns is quite the opposite. Despite claims of bringing the benefits of “Digital Bangladesh” to every doorstep, the mobile network in many villages has turned into a game of “hide and seek.” In some places, a signal is only found by climbing to the top of a tree, while in others, getting even a 2G signal indoors has become an uphill task.
Suffering as a Constant Companion
Field reports from various villages reveal that subscriber frustration has reached its peak. To make an important phone call, residents often have to travel to local markets, open fields, or even climb trees. The internet situation is even more dire. Even where a 2G signal exists, data connectivity is virtually non-existent. Consequently, essential tasks like sending urgent emails, freelancing, or participating in online education have become nearly impossible.
Local residents shared their plight: “To attend an online class or submit an assignment, we have to walk half a kilometer to sit by a high road. It’s even more dangerous at night. During rain, the network vanishes entirely.”
Stagnation in Business and Services
Most public and private services are now app or internet-based. Network issues at rural agent banking or mobile banking points are severely disrupting transactions. Frequently, customers receive a “balance deducted” message, but the transaction fails to complete due to network failure, leading to heated arguments between customers and agents.
Why This Dire State?
Subscribers complain that the number of towers in rural areas is insufficient compared to the demand. Often, when the power goes out, towers shut down due to a lack of generator backup, isolating the entire area. While leading telecom companies are preoccupied with deploying modern technology in cities, there is a noticeable lack of initiative to improve service quality at the village level.
Monitoring by Authorities is Crucial
In this age of information technology, a lack of connectivity means falling behind in development. Villagers demand that mobile operators immediately increase the number of towers and ensure stable internet connectivity. Experts believe this suffering will not end without strict supervision from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) or other regulatory bodies.
To bridge the digital divide and unite villages and cities, there is no alternative to a robust network infrastructure.