Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the government has directed all telecommunications companies to ensure disaster-level preparedness, maintain uninterrupted telecom connectivity nationwide, and coordinate closely with one another to guarantee seamless network operations, a CNBC TV18 report stated. In its directive, as informed by sources aware of the matter to CNBC TV18, the government has said that it’s critical to maintain seamless communication for national security.
The report further maintained that all telcos have conveyed readiness and agreed to deploy emergency measures.
Per the directive, telcos were also ordered to prepare and maintain an updated list of critical telecom infrastructure and installations, with a particular focus on border districts, to ensure their protection and continued functionality during emergencies.
Accordingly, the government has asked telcos to put more emphasis on uninterrupted tower operations, transceiver stations within 100 kms of international border.
Further, a letter by the Ministry of Communications’ disaster management division to all telcos, as accessed by Moneycontrol earlier, stated, “Ensure all activities are carried out in strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2020 for telecommunication services in disaster scenarios…This is to be treated as URGENT and necessary action must be taken without delay.”
The ministry has instructed the LSA heads of the DoT to coordinate with state governments to ensure the unhindered movement of telecom operators’ teams during emergencies and to assist in protecting vital telecom infrastructure against possible threats. The ministry has also directed telecom firms to ensure sufficient reserves of diesel for generator (DG) sets to guarantee uninterrupted power supply to telecom infrastructure.
This came in the backdrop of escalations between India and Pakistan following ‘Operation Sindoor’. The attack was in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 which claimed the lives of 26 people at Baisran valley.