The department of telecommunications (DoT) has requested the CEO of Reliance Jio to personally investigate the matter and take prompt measures to address the issue of sluggish progress in executing the project. It is worth noting that on January 5, 2023, the 100 USOF-funded towers in Bhubaneswar were inaugurated by Vaishnaw.
Mumbai-based telecom giant Jio has come under scrutiny yet again. This time, it is for failing to deliver what it promised to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in the state of Odisha. The DoT had granted Jio permission to lay optical fibre cables in the state, on the condition that the company would meet certain obligations. However, according to sources, The telco has failed to fulfill these obligations, which has led to a delay in the rollout of the company’s high-speed internet services in the state.
The Odisha government had granted Jio the permission to lay optical fibre cables across the state in 2018. The telecom company had promised to complete the project within 18 months, and had also agreed to a number of other conditions, such as providing connectivity to government institutions and ensuring that the network would be available to all residents, including those living in remote and rural areas.
However, according to sources, Jio has failed to deliver on these promises. The company has reportedly missed several deadlines and has not completed the project within the agreed-upon timeframe. Furthermore, Jio has allegedly not provided connectivity to government institutions as promised, nor has it made the network available to all residents, especially those living in remote and rural areas.
This delay in the rollout of Jio’s high-speed internet services has led to frustration among the residents of Odisha. The state has a population of over 41 million people, and many of them are eagerly waiting for the benefits of high-speed internet services. The delay has also affected businesses in the state, many of which are unable to fully take advantage of the benefits of digital technology due to the lack of reliable internet connectivity.
The DoT has taken note of the situation and has reportedly summoned Jio officials to explain the delay. According to sources, the DoT has warned Jio that it may face penalties if it fails to deliver on its promises. The DoT has also instructed Jio to provide a timeline for the completion of the project and has asked the company to ensure that the network is made available to all residents, including those living in remote and rural areas.
This is not the first time that Jio has come under scrutiny for its business practices. The company has been accused of anti-competitive behavior in the past, and has also faced criticism for its role in the ongoing farmer protests in India. Jio’s owner, Mukesh Ambani, is one of the wealthiest people in the world and is known for his aggressive business tactics.
Jio has responded to the situation by saying that it is committed to fulfilling its promises in Odisha. The company has blamed the delay on a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical issues. Jio has also said that it is working to address the concerns raised by the DoT and has assured residents of Odisha that they will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet services.
However, many are skeptical of Jio’s promises. The company has a history of making grand claims but failing to deliver on them. There are concerns that Jio may be prioritizing profits over the needs of the people of Odisha. Some have also raised concerns about the impact of Jio’s business practices on other telecom companies in the state, which may struggle to compete with Jio’s aggressive pricing and marketing strategies.
The situation in Odisha highlights the challenges facing India’s telecom sector. While the sector has seen rapid growth in recent years, there are concerns about the dominance of certain players and the impact of their business practices on competition and consumer choice. The government has taken steps to address these issues, such as the recent auction of spectrum for 5G services. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all Indians have access to reliable and affordable internet.
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