Disaster-hit regions get emergency telcom lifeline as DoT activates ICR in Nagaland, Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu

The Department of Telecommunications has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) to ensure continuity of essential communication services in disaster-affected regions. The activation of ICR enables mobile subscribers to access available networks, maintaining vital connectivity for affected residents and emergency responders. The Department is continuously monitoring network status and working with service providers to expedite full restoration of communication networks.

Source

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in disaster-hit districts of Nagaland, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
02Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) allows mobile subscribers to access any available network in locations where their home network is temporarily offline.
03The activation of ICR enables seamless connectivity for affected residents, emergency responders, healthcare personnel, and disaster management agencies during rescue and relief operations.
04Continuous heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods, and severe inundation have caused extensive damage to critical telecom infrastructure in the affected regions.
05The Department of Telecommunications has invoked emergency response mechanisms under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-2020 for Telecom Services in Response to Disasters.
06Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) is a telecom arrangement where a mobile subscriber connects to another operator's network within the same telecom circle (region).
07The DoT issues instructions to Telecom Service Operators to implement ICR during natural disasters when mobile infrastructure is damaged.

Trap alerts

Most people think Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) allows users to access any network in India, but actually it only allows access within the same telecom circle (region).
Most people think the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has a separate team for disaster response, but actually it uses existing field units and works with service providers.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

Under which scheme did the Department of Telecommunications invoke emergency response mechanisms?

A.Telecom Services in Response to Disasters
B.National Disaster Management Scheme
C.Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-2020 for Telecom Services in Normal Circumstances
D.Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Scheme

The Department of Telecommunications invoked emergency response mechanisms under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-2020 for Telecom Services in Response to Disasters. This scheme helps ensure continuity of essential communication services during disasters.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Department of Telecommunications' Response to Disasters: 1. The Department of Telecommunications has invoked emergency response mechanisms under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-2019 for Telecom Services in Response to Disasters. 2. Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) is activated by default during disasters, without any manual intervention from service providers. 3. The activation of ICR enables mobile subscribers of any provider as well as visiting in-roamers to seamlessly access any available network in locations where their home network is temporarily offline. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
All three

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