Telecom Sector Suffers Loss Of Rs 90 Crore In 1 Month

The telecom sector of Jammu and Kashmir has lost more than Rs 90 crore in last one month, as the mobile Internet services have been snapped across the state and calling has also been barred in Kashmir valley since August 5—the day Article 370 was abrogated.

Jammu and Kashmir, having about 1.15 crore mobile subscribers, has been deprived of the Internet services, which is not only affecting the subscribers, but also all four main telecom operators operating in the state.

On the one hand, the mobile subscribers have been demanding waving of their bills for the period as they have not used the services, and on the other , the mobile operators are facing huge losses, as they have to bear the operation cost with a limited revenue.

An official of a telecom company, requesting anonymity, said they had to keep all their mobile towers on, as a few phone numbers of higher officials had to be operational at all locations of the state.

“We cannot shut even a single tower in the state, as some connections of some higher officials need to be operational at all the locations. If we shut any of the towers, it will take three to four days to be restored,” the official said.

He also said the industry had lost about Rs 90 crore in the last one month, as they had to bear the operational cost as well as the salaries of the huge staff hired by the company.

According to the figures of the last quarter, the industry has collected the revenue of Rs 391.06 crore, which is equal to approximately Rs 130 crore a month.

The officials said the industry had not collected more than Rs 40 crore last month from the state, which led them to a loss of Rs 90 crore.

The official of another telecom company said it would become difficult for the operators to continue its services, if the government did not lift the restrictions on mobile services and data in the state.

“J&K had recorded maximum growth in the last quarter among all states of the country in the telecom sector, but last month has proved drastic for us in the state,” he said.

• Mobile subscribers have been demanding waving of their bills for the period as they have not used the sevices
• The mobile operators are facing huge losses, as they have to bear the operation cost with a limited revenue.―The Tribune