MPs Angry Over MTNL’s Poor Speed; Airtel, Jio Will Provide Internet In Parliament?

Members of Parliament have filed complaints regarding the quality of internet facilities being provided by the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL). 

This might lead to MTNL losing its exclusive rights to provide services to the Member of Parliament.

Read on to find out more…

MPs Looking To Discontinue Internet Services From MTNL?

According to the sources, last week at meeting of the house committee of Parliament, a possibility was discussed regarding the involvement of private internet service providers to supply high-speed broadband services to MPs since they had faced ‘acute difficulties in doing official work due to ‘slow’ and ‘patchy’ Wi-fi services by MTNL.

This advice was also approved by Speaker Om Birla in a review of the situation in May when he said services by private operators should be explored in order to facilitate online work by the MPs. 

The MPs are allowed to use private mobile phone services, however, the internet services per MPs’ official quota are provided exclusively by MTNL.

What Does MTNL Have To Say?

However, MTNL is said to have defended its facilities by informing the House Committee to look into the MPs’ usage and upgrade their plans, on their own, accordingly. 

The service provider also pointed out to the House Committee due to the need for increased data consumption during the lockdown period, that MPs’ monthly data consumption limit was increased to 1500 GB.

According to the sources, MTNL also claimed to have undertaken several other infrastructure projects to equip Parliament and MPs’ flats.

The sources told TOI, a final decision regarding this issue will be subject to an in-principle decision by the House Committee and a subsequent ratification by the joint committee on salaries and allowances of MPs, since the decision will have financial implications and consequential amendments to the Housing and Telephone Facilities (Members of Parliament) Rules, 1956.