New ADSL lines suspended

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), acting on complaints of poor quality ADSL lines for subscribers, has asked Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) to suspend the issuance of fresh ADSL lines until the services are upgraded.

TRC Director General Kanchana Ratwatte told The Sunday Times FT that the request was made to SLT last week to stop issuing new ADSL lines. "There have not been many complaints but there have been some and on my own, I have taken the initiative and done some testing here," Ratwatte said. "I agree that the quality has deteriorated drastically over the last month or so."

Ratwatte said the entry level package offered by SLT of Rs.1000 for an ADSL line has become increasingly popular.

"A host of customers have joined the ADSL bandwagon so more customers have been given this service but SLT has not improved the international backbone," he stated. "It is not an expensive process and SLT has already initiated action and they wanted a fortnight from the first of July." (NG)