Guwahati, July 15: Frustrated by persistent mobile network outages, villagers from the northern fringe of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district have written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, demanding immediate action against what they describe as Bharti Airtel’s repeated failure to provide basic connectivity in the region.
The residents of Rupapani, Nongspung, Chibra, Pyngker, Pahamjula, Umnowe, and surrounding villages said they have endured years of poor or non-existent network service. In their letter, the villagers accused Airtel of neglecting its responsibility under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a government initiative meant to extend mobile connectivity to underserved areas.
“The service is highly erratic, with frequent and prolonged outages that often last for several hours. People are unable to access emergency services, complete financial transactions, or stay connected with the outside world,” the letter stated.
The villagers claimed they had raised the issue multiple times through official channels, including the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), and had also written to Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Despite these efforts, the network quality remained extremely poor, they said.
What has angered residents further is Airtel’s continued billing practices. According to them, the company collects full advance payments from pre-paid users without providing consistent service or offering compensation for the long disruptions.
“This is not just technical failure — this is exploitation of poor, tribal communities who are already struggling with limited resources,” the letter noted.
The villagers urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to intervene personally in the matter. They requested that he take up the issue with Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, and ensure that the Department of Telecommunications conducts a technical audit of Airtel’s operations in the area. They also suggested that the government explore alternative service providers if Airtel continues to fail in its obligations.
“This issue affects not just convenience but the very welfare and digital inclusion of a large tribal population. The lack of connectivity is cutting us off from opportunities, services, and rights that others take for granted,” they said.
The residents called on the state government to hold Airtel accountable and to ensure compensation is provided for the disruption and inconvenience caused over the years.
