Bhubaneswar: In preparation for the impending cyclone, telecom service providers across Odisha have activated the Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) feature to ensure continuous mobile network access. This initiative follows a directive from the Government of India aimed at providing seamless connectivity during the storm.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) instructed all telecom operators to implement ICR across the state. Odisha Telecom Minister Mukesh Mahaling, after a meeting with senior DoT officials and representatives from various service providers, confirmed that the ICR service has been operational since 8 AM on October 24.
Intra-circle roaming allows mobile users to connect to any active tower in the area, irrespective of which telecom company owns the tower. This ensures uninterrupted service in case one provider’s network goes down during the cyclone.
“We had a review meeting with senior officials from JIO, Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone, and DoT representatives. The intra-circle roaming system has been live since 8 AM on October 24,” said Mahaling.
He further explained that if a particular network fails, users can automatically switch to other available networks, enabling them to stay connected. This feature will be especially beneficial for those trying to reach family members outside the cyclone-hit areas and for aiding in rescue efforts.
The DoT has issued a directive to all service providers to ensure the smooth operation of this common network system. Additionally, standby generators have been arranged for telecom towers, and technical teams are on alert to address any tower damages that may occur during the cyclone.
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