Imphal, May 14: Ever wondered why the mobile phone in your hand always, unfailingly comes out with the message, "Network Busy" or a sweet voice says, "The subscriber is not reachable.

Please try after some time" whenever you have to make an emergency call ? Or you wake up and find the words, "Network down" on your mobile ? The Sangai Express takes this opportunity to inform the subscribers the likely reasons why your mobile fails to connect when you need it the most.

Speaking to this daily, BSNL DGM, Manipur, J Lunkim informed that one of the three antennas, which has a capacity of 1000, installed at Khuman Lampak conked off from the day it was installed.

Moreover the �network down� message that you see on the mobile is because the micro link that connects Dimapur and Kohima goes out of order occasionally.

Lunkim said that a written intimation has already been sent to the GM at Shillong highlighting the frequent break down in the micro link.

He also assured that the defunct antenna at Khuman Lampak will be set right within next week.

Lunkim further said that plans are on to install four antennas at Khwairamband bazar soon to convenience the mobile phone users.

Similar antennas will also come up at Manipur University and Lamphel within the next two/three months, he assured.

The BSNL was to provide the mobile facility to only 4000 subscribers in the first phase in Imphal area.

Out of the 4000, about 300 were reserved for VIPs while 3269 subscribers were chosen through the draw of lots.

However the BSNL may have succumbed to pressure and there is enough ground to suspect that about 8000 connections may have been issued in Imphal area alone, said a source.

When The Sangai Express raised this point, The DGM said in no uncertain terms that no excess connections have been issued.

To prove his point, the official said that till date the number of mobile connection issued is a little above 3000.This includes 200 in Thoubal, 40 in Bishnupur and 200 in Churachandpur.

Lunkim further said that antennas have already been installed at the district headquarters of Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati to extend the mobile telephony service to these districts.

However no antenna has been put up at Chandel districts so far.

To enable passengers traveling on the national highways, specifically on the Imphal-Moreh route, an antenna will be put up at Tengnoupal, said the DGM.

Antennas will also be installed at Kangpokpi to convenience travelers taking the Imphal-Kohima route When The Sangai Express contacted the Commercial Officer of BSNL, Deb, he also refuted that more than 4000 connections have been issued.

A technical staff of the BSNL informed that three antennas with 1000 capacities each have been set up near the BSNL office while another three antennas with the same capacities have been installed at Khuman Lampak.

The technical staff further said that users of mobile telephone in Imphal face some inconveniences during day time as mobile users of Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur use their mobiles when they come to Imphal.

This affects the capacity of the towers set up here, he explained.

An official of the BSNL informed that to minimize the inconveniences of the subscribers, plans are underway to install a machine from Sony Erricson at the BSNL exchange at Sangaiprou.

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