Bhubaneswar: To provide seamless mobile network coverage during the cyclone, all telecom service providers (TSP) have activated the Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) facility following the instruction of the Government of India.
The Department of Telecom, Government of India, has written to all service providers to enable ICR. According to Odisha Telecom Minister Mukesh Mahaling, who held a meeting with senior DoT officials and service providers, the ICR facility has been available in the State since 8 AM on October 24.
Intra-circle roaming allows mobile users to connect to any active tower in a given area, regardless of the tower’s owner.
Mahaling stated, “We held a review meeting with top officials from JIO, Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone, and telecom ministry officials. We’ve been providing intra-circle roaming network services since 8 AM on October 24.”
If one service provider’s network fails, users can connect to other available networks through common network facilities, he added.
Residents in cyclone-hit areas can utilize these facilities to contact relatives outside the affected areas. It will also help facilitate rescue operations. The Department of Telecommunications has issued a circular to all service providers to enable the common network system, the minister said.
Additionally, generator sets are on standby for all telecom towers, and technical teams are ready to repair towers if any damages occur due to cyclone.
