Online classes disrupted by ‘poor network’, student wins Rs 14,000 from service provider

In a recent ruling, a Chhattisgarh District Consumer Commission has held a telecom and internet service provider company accountable for its poor network service, resulting in disrupted online classes for a student. The commission awarded the student Rs 14,000 in compensation, including Rs 10,000 for the service failure and Rs 4,000 for litigation costs.

The student, a SIM card holder, had repeatedly complained about the poor network connectivity, slow internet speeds, call distortions, and frequent signal disruptions since September 2023. Despite acknowledging the issues, the company advised the student to switch to another provider, which the commission deemed a deficiency in service.

The student had provided documentary evidence supporting his claims, including complaints, network speed tests, and screenshots showing the online classes failing to run properly. The commission observed that the company had failed to adequately resolve the student's persistent network connectivity issues despite multiple complaints.

The company argued that network coverage depends on various technical and geographical factors, and advised the student to switch providers if dissatisfied. However, the commission held that the company's own findings of limited coverage supported the complaint, finding a deficiency in the telecom service and partly allowing the complaint.