In response to the devastating floods in the Thoothukudi district, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is extending support to affected residents by offering a special relief package. As part of this initiative, BSNL is providing Rs 200 worth of free talktime to prepaid customers in the Thoothukudi region. The offer, available from December 25 to December 29, aims to assist those facing communication challenges due to the flood. Additionally, BSNL is facilitating intra-circle roaming (ICR), allowing users of other telecom operators to access its network for essential connectivity.
Impact of Flood on BSNL Infrastructure
D Tamizhmani, Chief General Manager for BSNL Tamil Nadu, highlighted the challenges faced by the telecom infrastructure in flood-prone areas. According to him, over 70% of the Base Trans-receiver Stations (BTS) in various taluks have suffered significant damage. The flood has also led to the destruction of BSNL’s optical fiber cable (OFC) in many regions, affecting network connectivity.
Restoration Efforts Underway
To address the issue, BSNL is actively working to restore the non-operational BTS units attached to nine exchanges. A dedicated team of over 200 individuals, including 100 technical experts, is engaged in the restoration process. The Chief GM emphasized the importance of placing BTS units at an elevated position in flood-prone regions to prevent damage.
ICR and Additional Measures
In addition to the free talktime offer, BSNL has introduced intra-circle roaming to enable users from other telecom operators to utilize its network in the flood-affected areas. The telecom provider has also deployed two Cell on Wheel (CoW) units from Tirunelveli and Cuddalore, strategically placed at the collectorate and Eral.
Network Restoration Progress
BSNL is making substantial progress in restoring connectivity, with 90% of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) internet connections already reinstated. Efforts are underway to expedite the restoration of the remaining connections, emphasizing the crucial role of cellular towers in facilitating faster evacuations from flood-hit regions.
