Mobile signal loss causes confusion

CHANDIGARH: Idea Cellular Punjab subscribers had a difficult time on Thursday, as they remained disconnected due to a signal loss.
For some, the issue began in the morning while others reported it at around noon. With phones on emergency call mode, businesses were disrupted and people could not maintain contact with their families.
‘‘I kept on dialing my mother’s cell phone but there was no reply and the number was out of reach.We were not able to use the SMS service also. My friends informed me about the problem,’’said Digvijay, a government employee.
Meanwhile, telecom giant Idea official said, ‘‘We are proud of our world-class network that supports over 40 lakh subscribers in Punjab. Due to a technical fault, some subscribers were not able to make or receive calls and it was quickly rectified.’’
However, the connectivity was not restored when The Times of India received the statement.
Idea has a second largest subscriber base in Punjab with 40,56,443 customers by December 2010.
The leader Airtel has 59,46,742 subscribers.