Housing societies chasing MTNL for rent of terrace towers

At a time when technology is being touted as the bedrock of life in lockdown, the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd’s (MTNL) existential struggles are paralysing mobile internet signals in and around the city. According to sources, poor network and weak connectivity related to MTNL wireless customers are a result of scores of housing societies snapping power to the service provider’s Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) on their terraces for non-payment of rent. Many of them are also urging MTNL to shift their infrastructure.

Sources said around 350 housing societies – including Saki Vihar in Andheri, Rabodi, Kalva and Naupada areas in Thane – have been affected.

A senior MTNL Mumbai official said the Centre has made a provision in the 2020-21 Budget to help MTNL and the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) tide over their financial troubles but the country was engulfed by the Covid-19 pandemic before the funds could be disbursed. He said the government is using all possible financial pools to fight against the health emergency. “Once we get out of this