The combined efforts of the telecom service providers (TSPs), including BSNL, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have led to the restoration of over 94% of the telecom network in the flood-hit areas.
NEW DELHI: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been making all out efforts to restore telecom services in the flood-hit Tripura.
The combined efforts of the telecom service providers (TSPs), including BSNL, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have led to the restoration of over 94% of the telecom network in the flood-hit areas.
Tripura faced widespread damage to telecom infrastructure following unprecedented flooding between August 19 and August 23, during which the state experienced intense rainfall.
To aid customers, Jio has extended the validity of prepaid plans by 4 days for those whose plans recently expired or were about to expire. Airtel has offered 1.5 GB of free mobile data per day and unlimited calling for 4 days to prepaid customers with expired plans. Furthermore, post-paid customers with overdue bills have been granted a 30-day extension on their payment deadlines.
The restoration process has been marked by the swift and coordinated actions of various stakeholders. The DoT’s North East Licence Service Area (NE-LSA) unit has been actively engaged, working closely with the State Administration, State Disaster Management unit, and TSPs to address the challenges posed by the flooding. This collaboration has enabled the rapid repair and restoration of telecom networks.
In response to the situation, the DoT implemented Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) in Tripura from August 22 to August 27. This measure allowed customers to use any available TSP’s network, regardless of their subscription, ensuring continued connectivity for all users in the disaster-stricken regions. The prompt adoption of ICR by all major TSPs, including BSNL, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, has been crucial in maintaining communication for rescue teams, government officials, and the public.
Additionally, TSPs have taken proactive steps to support affected communities. Following requests from state disaster management authorities, telecom operators quickly replaced damaged equipment in the flood-hit areas, facilitating both emergency response efforts and daily communications for residents.