Prices of gadgets soar as internet services witness snags

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, AUGUST 4

The one thing that really surged, apart from the positive cases, amid the pandemic has to be the online networking of things. As the establishments shuttered, the students and office-goers found themselves working from home. The internet world has never before experienced such a heavy traffic of users that it began slackening off often.

Besides, the demand of gadgets has shot up. Eventually, the increase in prices of handsets, personal computers (PCs) and laptops also soared as those category of people who didn’t before own these items also thronged the markets as it was turning into a necessity in these unfortunate times. Parents who were earlier worried about the strain the eyes has to go through when using one at a stretch, had to somehow do away with the thought as everything from recreation to education and employment had been going on digital mode.

Networking issues

People from different areas complained of network problem and high equipment cost. Pahulpreet Singh, a student of BTech, says, “Online classes are arduously long and network snapping after some time causes enough trouble. For a qualitative study it is essential to provide durable networks and e-gadgets.” However, remaining glued to the screen for hours sure has made the task more tedious. “Apparently, given these circumstances, it was nostalgic to miss the company of classmates while taking lectures on conventional boards,” he reminisces.

Not only this, shopkeepers selling SIMs of different companies, inside the walled city are reported to have received many queries from people, especially young students and mothers, complaining about snagging issues. The problem is not only in the congested areas, even dwellers of the posh areas like Ranjit Avenue, Green Avenue, Basant Avenue, Shastri Nagar faced sluggishness.

Gadgets’ cost rising to sky

Following high demand, the prices of desktops and assembled computers, irrespective of their brands, have increased by Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per piece. The rise in prices was denoted to the extraordinary increase in demand not only from the students but also from the office-going class.

Even the demand and prices of webcams — which had nearly become obsolete after the arrival of smartphones — skyrocketed. The marked shift of educational institutions going online had given rise to the demand as students need the webcam to avail online lectures, ultimately leading to its price rise in the markets. The cost of a webcam virtually doubled from its original price of Rs 1200.

Interestingly, tabs — not particularly much desired by a large number of people – also saw customers procuring the gadget big time. And the shopkeepers had an opportunity to exhaust their inventory. Barring a multinational company or two, many have even discontinued with the manufacturing of tablets.

Meanwhile, the value of mobile handsets remained least changed, smartphones remained the most on the top of the wishlist of many much as before. “Smartphones are an alternative to computers as they come with all those features,” said a customer.

Unlike other industries and trades, people manufacturing and those selling PCs, laptops, tabs and mobile phones did not incur much loss amid the lockdown. Even if the case, the unlocking phase has seen many retailers of these electronic goods recover swiftly.

The demand of computers, laptops and mobile handsets increased like anything after the opening the markets. Laptop recorded the sharpest spike among all these products. Starting price of a laptop of any brand is now Rs 37,000 which used to be Rs 20,000 before the lockdown. Import of computers scaled down due to the Covid-19 restrictions from China, virtually causing the gap between demand and supply. — Vikas Narang, proprietor of a computer and mobile showroom

As soon as the national lockdown was announced I returned here to live with my parents. During online studies, I find that the network slows down frequently. It causes a vital communication gap between the students and teachers. Of course, sitting in front of a screen for hours is sure to take a toll on the eyesight. There’s no escaping that. — Ajay Sharma, Phd student, Council of Science and Industrial Research, New Delhi

When network is not available in the rooms, children tend to go out of the rooms to continue their online classes. They are attending online classes and then tuition class as well, each stretching about two-hour long. Over four-hour long screen and digital exposure can have harmful impact on their health. — Jyoti Kapoor, a housemaker

There are now three major companies engaged in providing cash paid cards. Reopening of shops after the lockdown brought a windfall of customers seeking pre-paid connections. Most of them return to complain about the poor network in rooms, narrow streets and remote parts of the area. I keep telling them that I am an ordinary vendor selling these SIMs on a paltry commission. So, don’t harass me. — Naresh Kumar, shopkeeper