Here's why mobile
phone users are facing
increasing call drops
increasing call drops
One of the most
irritating things in today's connected world are call drops. Carrying out an
uninterrupted conversation through a cellphone is practically impossible.
ET explores the major
reasons for call drops, what consumers can do to improve their call quality in
the short term, and major steps that the industry and authorities need to take
to resolve this issue long term.
REASONS WHY MOBILE
PHONE USERS ARE FACING INCREASING CALL DROPS
1. Only 4.25 lakh mobile phone towers in India vs at least 6.25 lakh towers needed.
1. Only 4.25 lakh mobile phone towers in India vs at least 6.25 lakh towers needed.
2. Radiation concerns
have led to people not renewing their leases to provide space for installing
towers.
3. Surging growth in
data traffic and voice usage not met by adequate spectrum supply. Operators in
India hold on an average 12-15 MHz of airwaves vs 40-45 MHz globally.
4. Moreover,
carriers cut capital expenditure due to financial limitations through
years of competition.
SHORT-TERM STEPS SUBSCRIBERS/COMPANIES COULD TAKE TO REDUCE STRAIN ON NETWORKS, THUS CALL DROPS/CONGESTION
SHORT-TERM STEPS SUBSCRIBERS/COMPANIES COULD TAKE TO REDUCE STRAIN ON NETWORKS, THUS CALL DROPS/CONGESTION
1. Install boosters to
strengthen weak signals.
2. In areas of weak
signal strength, go to settings, turn off location services, alerts, switch to
2G from 3G; this decongests network, allowing better quality voice calls.
3. In Wi-Fi areas,
turn on Wi-Fi, turn off mobile data to free up network for calls.
LONG -TERM SOLUTIONS
1. Government needs to
free-up more spectrum for commercial use.
2. Carriers need to
invest more on their networks, upgrade to better technology
3. More telecom towers
needed; have single window clearances for setting up towers vs multiple.
4. More stringent, independent checks on quality of service by regulator.
4. More stringent, independent checks on quality of service by regulator.
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