What’s in Today’s Article?

• Introduction (Context)
• Resilient Telecom Infra (Need, Challenges, Solutions, Future Roadmap, etc.)

Introduction:

• India’s telecom infrastructure plays a critical role in disaster response, ensuring uninterrupted communication for emergency services and the public.
• However, natural calamities such as cyclones, earthquakes, and floods pose a severe threat to these networks.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a global initiative launched by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, recently released a report analysing India’s telecom preparedness for disasters.
• The findings emphasize the vulnerabilities in telecom networks and outline key measures to enhance resilience, power stability, and rapid recovery during emergencies.

Importance of Resilient Telecom Infrastructure:

• Telecom networks are essential for disaster management as they enable quick communication between:

• National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA) and local administrations.
• Emergency services and citizens in affected areas.
• State and central governments to coordinate relief efforts.

• However, telecom networks are highly vulnerable due to their dependency on above-ground cables, tower strength, and electricity supply. A natural disaster can severely disrupt services, affecting rescue operations and public communication.

Key Challenges in Disaster-Prone Areas:

• High Risk in Coastal and Seismic Zones
  • Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable as undersea cables connect India to global internet networks.
  • Earthquakes and cyclones can damage telecom towers, leading to massive service outages.
• Power Failures: The Biggest Issue
  • Telecom towers rely heavily on uninterrupted power supply, but disasters often cause prolonged blackouts.
  • Lack of electricity delays network restoration, making it difficult for operators to bring services back online.
• Structural Weakness of Telecom Towers
  • Many towers are not built to withstand high wind speeds, especially in coastal states.
  • Poorly planned overhead cables snap easily during storms, leading to service breakdowns.

Solutions for Building a Disaster-Resilient Telecom Network:

• Strengthening Power Infrastructure
  • Ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical telecom sites.
  • Reserving fuel stocks for emergency use at telecom towers.
  • Installing solar or hybrid power solutions to reduce dependency on the grid.
• Building Stronger Telecom Towers
  • Mandating higher wind resistance standards for towers in cyclone-prone areas.
  • Elevating diesel generators at tower sites to prevent flood-related failures.
• Underground Fiber Optic Cables and Dig-Once Policy
  • Overhead telecom cables often snap in extreme weather. The report recommends shifting to underground fiber optic cables wherever possible.
  • Implementing a "dig-once" policy, where underground cables are laid alongside other infrastructure like water and gas pipelines, reducing repeated disruptions.
• Better Disaster Monitoring and Response
  • Real-time tracking of telecom asset damage using software and AI-driven data collection.
  • Emergency fuel distribution to keep towers operational.
  • Collaboration between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and telecom operators to ensure rapid damage assessment and restoration.
• Financial Resilience through Parametric Insurance
  • The report highlights parametric insurance as a key financial tool.
  • This ensures that telecom operators receive compensation quickly after a disaster, enabling faster network restoration.

Future Roadmap for Telecom Resilience in India:

• Short-Term Initiatives (1-2 years)

• Strengthening backup power systems at telecom towers.
• Implementing real-time damage monitoring through software tools.
• Upgrading telecom infrastructure in high-risk coastal and seismic areas.

• Medium-Term Initiatives (3-5 years)

• Nationwide shift towards underground fiber optic networks.
• Mandatory disaster-proofing of new telecom towers.
• Creating a coordinated response mechanism for telecom outages.

• Long-Term Vision (Beyond 5 years)

• Achieving a 100% disaster-resilient telecom infrastructure across India.
• Developing policy frameworks for telecom disaster preparedness at national and state levels.
• Increasing investment in climate-resilient infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

Conclusion:

• India’s telecom infrastructure is essential for disaster response, but it remains highly vulnerable to natural calamities.
• The CDRI report highlights the urgent need for structural upgrades, power stability, underground fiber networks, and improved disaster coordination.
• By implementing these measures, India can ensure minimal communication disruptions during emergencies, enabling faster rescue operations and better crisis management.