Cut off, frustration builds up among subscribers in city
Meanwhile, homes and workplaces have been hit hard. Children have missed online classes and employees working from home struggled with deadlines. Corporate hospitals and diagnostic labs lost broadband connectivity, while several mobile towers remained down, further weakening coverage.
“We are forced to recharge costly mobile data packs every other day, but even calls drop constantly,” said a Kukatpally resident. A software engineer from Ameerpet added: “I lost work-from-home days because of this. My company has warned me. The government and operators are blaming each other, but it is we consumers who are paying the price.”
Others echoed the frustration. “Cable operators are asking me to pay the bill without providing services,” said Anji Konaseema. A diagnostic lab technician in Banjara Hills said, “Our entire system depends on broadband to upload patient reports. For weeks, we’ve been relying on unstable mobile hotspots. Patients are suffering.” Another consumer, Sowmya, recounted how a new connection was cut just two hours after installation.
Across Telangana, there are 3.5 crore telecom service connections and nearly 1 crore internet and cable connections. “Restoration has stalled because the snapping continues. If the government regularises COAL tax, we can replace all this with one line carrying 100 fibre wires. That will both solve the mess and beautify the city. We have already submitted this proposal, but until then we need time and cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the TGSPDCL defended its actions, saying only cables hanging below 15 feet or lying unused were being removed.