Survey at Parappana Agrahara finds weak mobile and wifi signal for around 2.5 km radius

A file photo of the Parappana Agrahara jail complex in Bengaluru.

The Telecommunication Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a public sector undertaking, found weak mobile and wifi signals around for about 2.5 km radius of the central prison at Parappana Agrahara during its survey that concluded on Thursday. The survey was ordered by the Prison and Correctional Services Department.

The survey that was conducted for about two days found that 19 jammers installed in the prison are causing network disruption for mobile network and wifi. The jammers have been optimised to a level that has potential to affect signals for about 2.5 km, said a source privy to this exercise. The survey also found that the Tower-Harmonics Call Blocking System (T-HCBS) has nothing to do with the new problem.

Last year, the residents began to face network issues after the prison department installed T-HCBS in January. After the residents protested and held meetings with officials of Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), prison department, and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Airtel installed a mini tower in August last year to boost the network. For about two months, the accessibility improved. However, later, the problem resurfaced due to installation of 19 jammers.

A source in the DoT talking to The Hindu said as the survey has found the problem is linked to the jammers, these devices have to be recalibrated to reduce the reach of the jammer as these jammers are affecting wifi networks too on which residents are relying in the absence of mobile networks.

“The jammers have to be recalibrated carefully, ensuring zero black spots, which are the places or locations in the premises of the prison where jammers have least to no effect. The recalibration must not lead to the creation of black spots,” the source added.

The source said the survey findings will be submitted to the State government in the next meeting, after which the department concerned will take the final call on what action has to be taken to resolve the problem.