SRINAGAR: Claimed as the fastest broadband connection and internet, Jio fiber collapsed under the very first major snowfall it experienced in Kashmir this week.
Subsequently, large number of its consumers here were left without any high speed internet facility. The collapse occurred at a time when more and more people were getting Jio fiber connections in view of the ongoing ban on 4G mobile internet since August 2019. Consumers also prefer to work from home due to Covid-19 and are availing the broadband high speed internet.
The disruption in high speed internet facility today hampered the working and consumers were unable to do their online work and related functions. Businesses too were hit. So was the functioning in other sectors.
“Amid continous ban on 4G internet, I got Jio fibre connection at home some months back. I used to work online and so were my other family members. Our kids were attending online classes and lessons through this facility,” said Bashir Ahmad Mir of Ishber Nishat.
He added that due to snowfall the Jio fibre internet facility got disconnected on Tuesday.” “We were unable to do our required work. We approached the concerned officials several times. They said they are on the job and will restore the internet. But till now, the internet remains disrupted,” Bashir said.
Another consumer, Firdos Dar who works at an office in Boulevard viewed that the concerned company should have set up a strong infrastructure so that the facility was not disrupted during snowfall.” Snowfall is a routine during winters here. Measures have to be taken by the company to ensure lesser disruptions in high speed internet during snowfall,” he said.
A number of people said after the collapse of Jio fiber, they had to switch over back to 2 G mobile internet.” It was very frustrating to work on 2G. Because of low speed, the work could not be done on desired lines. It was loss of time and energy and nothing productive could be done,” said Tabish.
Although in some area the internet was working but the speed was below 2G, some reports said.
An official of the Jio company told Kashmir Observer that due to heavy snowfall some cables got damaged but they have pressed men and machinery to restore it.
He said if weather permitted, they will restore all the connections within two days.
Not only the Jio fibre but high speed internet provided by other companies too got hit by the snowfall. The consumers of SNTPL and Airtel also alleged stopping of internet after snowfall. While others said frequent disruptions occurred in the facility.
“Whenever there was power breakdown during the day, the SNTPL internet will also go. Even after power restoration, sometimes the internet will not be there,” said Khalid Ahmad of Rawalpora.
Working of media persons also got affected due to non availability of high speed internet through broadband.
After the ban on 4 G internet in Kashmir in August 2019, more and more people last year switched over to high speed internet through broadband. Jio fibre is mostly getting preference by the consumers amid a claim by the company of high speed and comparatively cheaper plans. Even as other companies are also there but Reliance is making efforts to spread the Jio fiber network in every nook and corner.
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