Telcos in Kolkata facing deliberate fibre interruptions by cable operators claims COAI

According to the COAI, the LCOs do not even permit the telecom service providers (TSPs) to obtain new connections.

The Cellular Operators Association of India has asserted that the telecom sector is experiencing catastrophic network outages in the city as a result of widespread intentional fibre cuts by local cable operators (LCOs) across multiple neighbourhoods.

It added in a statement that such unjustifiable coercive activities by unauthorised companies to stifle fair competition and restrict customers' options for service providers are totally unfair and unjustified.

The lack of essential digital connectivity is putting customers at risk, according to the report, and the telecom sector is currently experiencing critical network downtime in Kolkata as a result of widespread intentional fibre cuts and damage by local cable operators (LCOs) in multiple localities within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and nearby non-KMC areas.

According to the COAI, the LCOs do not even permit the telecom service providers (TSPs) to obtain new connections.

The group urged the municipal and state governments in West Bengal to step in right away and stop the LCOs' illegal actions.

In the statement, COAI Director General Lt. Gen. S. P. Kochhar was quoted as saying that the field team(s) of our member TSPs are also being hindered from performing restoration work by the LCOs by being threatened/manhandled and hostilely obstructed, which is affecting their commitment to restore connectivity within the minimum turn-around time.