Pointing out problems of frequent call drops faced by mobile phone users, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday said service providers need to go ‘the extra mile’ to improve quality of services.
“You have to improve services and that is in your hand… you have enough spectrum… I get complaints every day. Please understand I am willing to walk the extra mile but you have to walk that extra extra mile, “Mr. Prasad said at a roundtable organised by FICCI.
Responding to queries of issue of radiation by the industry, the Minister reiterated that this ‘radiation campaign’ should stop.
Members from the industry had pointed out that they are facing problems in setting up telecom infrastructure due to restrictions from the state government and local authorities, as well as ‘baseless propaganda on radiation’. Industry suggested that government land/property should be allowed for use for setting up towers through a transparent bidding process.
“There is no tangible evidence that radiation is harmful. But industry should also be proactive in dispensing such perceptions. You should interact with consumer and make them aware,” Mr. Prasad said.
Meanwhile, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg said the much awaited spectrum sharing and trading guidelines have been finalised at the department level and Cabinet note on the same has been circulated. “We expect guidelines to be approved by Cabinet by end of the month,” he said.
