IMPHAL, Jan 15: Internet connectivity broke down throughout the day as two optical fibres connecting Dimapur with Imphal went out of service at Dimapur thereby causing immense difficulties to internet users at Imphal and other places of the State.
The optical fibres broke down after a major fire broke out at the office of the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), Dimapur. It was not only internet connectivity, mobile phone service was also affected.
Internet connectivity as well as mobile phone service broke down at around noon today after two key optical fibres of the PGCIL snapped at Dimapur, informed a source.
The two optical fibres are said to be key links for mobile/telecom service providers operating in Manipur.
With the exception of BSNL and Reliance Jio, mobile phone service of other providers were severely affected while the internet service broke down completely.
The break down in internet service not only kept thousands of people disconnected but also seriously affected trade and commercial activities, and other online services.
Some bank branches encountered difficulties in carrying out normal transactions even though no such difficulties were witnessed at bank branches which have V-Set facility.
Some flight passengers too encountered trouble while obtaining boarding passes as the internet connectivity broke down suddenly. They were later given hand-generated boarding passes, said the source. Even though there are reports of repairing/restoring the snapped optical fibres till late night today, it is not sure when the internet connectivity and mobile phone service would be restored. Imphal-based newspaper offices too faced certain inconveniences on account of the break down in internet connectivity.
TSE News