Uninterrupted telecommunication and free Wi-Fi demanded in Metrorail
After the Padma Bridge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the second project of Dhaka Metro Rail on December 28. A day after the inauguration, passengers will buy tickets and board the desired metro rail. But on the verge of opening the pages of Metrorail's history, stakeholders have expressed concern that no initiative has been implemented to set up an effective mobile network in these Metrorail stations. In the meantime, Bangladesh Muthophon Subscribers’ Association, an organization that is vocal about customer rights, has demanded uninterrupted telecommunication and internet services as well as free Wi-Fi at stations and railway compartments for passengers while traveling on the metro rail.
Regarding this, the president of the organization Mohiuddin Ahmed said, we have already learned through the information received from various media that no design or arrangement has been made in this project for providing telecommunication and internet services with the metro rail construction project. But a customer will spend around 40 to 45 minutes in waiting at the station and train travel time while traveling this route. At this time if a citizen is away from uninterrupted internet service and telecommunication, then his daily activities are likely to be disrupted as well as the goal of building a smart Bangladesh will be hampered.
He also said that the government wants to build a smart Bangladesh by 2041. However, it is sad to say that there is no system for developing telecommunication and internet connectivity in big projects including The Padma Bridge. Our demand can be fulfilled immediately to provide free wifi internet facility in metro rail stations and railway coaches for the convenience of passengers. The speedy removal of all the obstacles in providing telecommunication and internet services has also been sought. And by providing this service, Metrorail will become a smart rail communication system.
It is reported that Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh- AMTOB has written to the Metrorail authorities seeking permission to set up network solutions on MRT Line-6 (from north to Agargaon).
AMTOB wrote in the letter that the stations will be crowded every day with a large number of mobile connections. As a result, to handle this additional data and voice demand inside the station, all the operators want to set up a combined network solution inside the station building which will ensure a normal network with ticket counters, platforms, lounges, food stalls during train movement. The letter mentioned that the operators have carried out a technical survey and feasibility study at 9 stations of MRT Line-6, which they have identified and handed over to the Metro authorities. BTRC too has written to the metro authorities. In that letter, referring to the technical survey of mobile operators and preparations for setting up, a combined network to ensure quality service at Metrorail and stations on Line-6 is mentioned.
Managing Director (MD) MAN Siddique of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company (DMTCL), which is responsible for the construction of the Metrorail, said that the mobile operators did not communicate about this during the construction of the station or earlier. As a result, the issue has been initially rejected as the installation of cable-machine cables inside the station will spoil the beauty of the station. He told the media, 'The train will run at a speed of 100 km. Trains run at a speed of 400 to 450 km abroad, but there is no problem with the network. That's how the network should be deployed by the operators.'
It may be noted that, after the inauguration, initially the metro rail will run from Uttara to Agargaon on a route of 11.73 km. In the first week, six-coach trains will run only in the morning and afternoon at a maximum speed of 100 km. Initially, it will take 20 minutes to go from Uttara to Agargaon by metro rail. Later, if fully operational, it will come down to 16-17 minutes. There are nine metro rail stations from Uttara to Agargaon. The fare will be Tk. 5 per kilometer and the minimum fare will be Tk. 20.
AMTOB wrote in the letter that the stations will be crowded every day with a large number of mobile connections. As a result, to handle this additional data and voice demand inside the station, all the operators want to set up a combined network solution inside the station building which will ensure a normal network with ticket counters, platforms, lounges, food stalls during train movement. The letter mentioned that the operators have carried out a technical survey and feasibility study at 9 stations of MRT Line-6, which they have identified and handed over to the Metro authorities. BTRC too has written to the metro authorities. In that letter, referring to the technical survey of mobile operators and preparations for setting up, a combined network to ensure quality service at Metrorail and stations on Line-6 is mentioned.
Managing Director (MD) MAN Siddique of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company (DMTCL), which is responsible for the construction of the Metrorail, said that the mobile operators did not communicate about this during the construction of the station or earlier. As a result, the issue has been initially rejected as the installation of cable-machine cables inside the station will spoil the beauty of the station. He told the media, 'The train will run at a speed of 100 km. Trains run at a speed of 400 to 450 km abroad, but there is no problem with the network. That's how the network should be deployed by the operators.'
It may be noted that, after the inauguration, initially the metro rail will run from Uttara to Agargaon on a route of 11.73 km. In the first week, six-coach trains will run only in the morning and afternoon at a maximum speed of 100 km. Initially, it will take 20 minutes to go from Uttara to Agargaon by metro rail. Later, if fully operational, it will come down to 16-17 minutes. There are nine metro rail stations from Uttara to Agargaon. The fare will be Tk. 5 per kilometer and the minimum fare will be Tk. 20.
