Pakistan mobile networks infringing on Indian users

[quote:8043314d98]Kargil 2 - with mobile phones!
MANOJ GAIROLA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2004 01:58:44 AM ]
NEW DELHI: It could be another Kargil in the making. Only this time around it is the high-powered Pakistan telecom network that is making inroads into the country.

Mobile operators in Pakistan have installed cellular networks whose coverage area extend well-beyond the borders into the terrorist-ridden lands of J&K.

Local subscribers end up getting hooked on to the Pakistani networks while using their local mobile handsets. Result ? Indian subscribers often end up paying charges for international roaming even for a local call. International roaming charges are to the tune of Rs 80 per minute.

The spillover of Pakistanti mobile signals in the Indian territory was noticed by Airtel, the only private cellular mobile network that is setting up mobile network in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials were shocked to observe that some of their handsets were logging on to the networks of Pakistani operators during testing.

Airtel has lodged a complaint with DoT. The complaint filed with the deputy director general (value added services) says: ?...Sir, you would appreciate that such spill over of network coverage could result in serious security issues.

Moreover, the local subscriber gets hooked on to the Pakistan network thereby even local calls becoming roaming calls.?

The company has urged the DoT to take up the issue with the relevant authorities in Pakistan. Currently, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is the only operator that is offering services in Jammu and Kashmir.

It has a subscriber base of 46,000. Airtel was the first private GSM service provider to acquire licence. It has not yet launched its services.

In order to stop spill over of Pakistani signals in the Indian territory, the Pakistani network operators would have to install suitable filters. If they fail to install filters then the Indian authorities would have to find other technical solutions.

The coverage of Pakistan networks in India, has obviously thrown up a serious threat to the country?s national security.

This would enable terrorists to by pass the domestic telecom networks and set up communication links within India.[/quote:8043314d98]

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/783994.cms

Dinesh