SHANGLA: Residents of Shangla have reported serious disruptions to mobile phone and internet services provided by Telenor and Jazz, with users in several parts of the district complaining of poor connectivity, slow internet speeds and frequent call failures.
According to local residents, Telenor’s service has become severely unreliable in several areas, with mobile internet sometimes becoming so slow that even basic social media platforms are difficult to access. Users have also reported frequent call drops and poor voice quality.
Jazz customers have similarly complained about deteriorating internet performance in recent weeks. Residents said unstable mobile data has disrupted online education, business activities, freelancing, online banking, social media use and other routine digital services.
Students who depend on mobile internet for education and young people working online are among those reportedly affected. Freelancers and small businesses operating through digital platforms have also raised concerns about interruptions to their work and financial activities.
Residents have additionally questioned the value of mobile packages during prolonged service disruptions. They said customers continue to purchase internet and call packages, but when connectivity is unavailable or severely degraded, they are unable to make full use of the services before the packages expire.
They have urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the concerned telecom operators to investigate the reported problems and inspect mobile towers and related infrastructure in affected areas.
Residents called for improvements in network coverage, internet speeds and call quality, particularly given Shangla’s mountainous terrain and limited access to alternative communication infrastructure.
They also highlighted concerns about emergency communications, saying unreliable mobile networks can make it difficult for residents to contact family members, rescue services or authorities during emergencies.
The residents stressed that reliable telecommunications have become essential for education, healthcare, banking, commerce, journalism, employment and access to public services.
They called for a comprehensive technical assessment of mobile infrastructure across the district to identify the causes of the reported deterioration and implement lasting solutions.
Residents also urged authorities to examine whether consumers should receive appropriate relief where prolonged service outages or severe degradation prevent them from using services for which they have already paid.
The reported complaints could not, from the information provided, be independently verified. The telecom operators and PTA have not been quoted in the report regarding the cause of the disruptions.
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