Page 296 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2024

2024 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

through print media, TV, Twitter, and SMS. This campaign Common Alert Protocol (CAP) portal, over 30 million
helped in the deeper percolation of this information for the targeted alerts and SMS messages were sent to at-risk
benefit of the larger masses by boosting network resiliency. populations, demonstrating the crucial role of
In the aftermath of Cyclone Biparjoy, the Telecom Service telecommunications in disaster preparedness and response.
Providers conducted rapid assessments of the network The experience of Cyclone Biparjoy also highlighted several
infrastructure to identify damages and prioritize restoration key lessons and areas for improvement in building resilient
efforts. The designated SPOCs collaborated with each other telecommunications infrastructure for cyclone disaster
to ensure safe access to affected areas and expedite the management emphasizing the need for improved power
restoration process. Additionally, Prioritized the resilience, network redundancy, and stakeholder
identification and restoration of critical infrastructure sites to coordination. To address these challenges, a comprehensive
expedite the recovery of dependent telecommunications framework for resilient telecom networks in disaster
networks. Indian telecom sector mobilized significant management is proposed. This framework integrates latest
resources and implemented various measures to restore technologies to enhance preparedness, response, and
communication services in the affected areas. All the recovery. It incorporates predictive algorithms, flexible
telecom providers, M/s BSNL, RJIL, BAL, and VIL, network technologies, distributed computing, real-time
deployed emergency response teams and equipment, monitoring, and advanced communication systems. The
including mobile cell sites, portable generators, to provide framework also prioritizes secure information sharing and
temporary network coverage in areas where the primary personnel training. Regular simulated drills will refine its
infrastructure had been damaged. Cyclone Biparjoy's effectiveness. This approach aims to create a robust,
aftermath complicated telecom recovery. Damaged power adaptable telecom network capable of withstanding and
and transport networks impeded repair efforts, causing swiftly recovering from severe disasters. The following
service disruptions. Safety concerns for repair teams section will detail the framework's specific components,
working amid flood risks further delayed restoration of implementation strategies, and potential challenges.
communication services.
5. A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR
4.3 Lessons learned and areas for improvement DEVELOPING DISASTER-RESILIENT
The effectiveness of the telecom sector's response to Cyclone TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Biparjoy is evident in the quantitative data from the INFRASTRUCTURE
aftermath. Intra-circle roaming (ICR) among operators was The framework for resilient telecom networks in disasters
extended until June 19, 2023, ensuring continued encompasses several key components and processes, as
connectivity for users even if their primary network was shown in Figure 2 and enumerated below: External Data &
disrupted. To facilitate emergency communications, 220 Alerts from Meteorological Organizations feed into the
numbers were assigned priority status, allowing critical Disaster Management Authority, which coordinates with the
personnel and services to maintain contact. The rapid Public and Telecom Department. The Telecom Department
response efforts resulted in the restoration of over 2,000 Base oversees Network Infrastructure and collaborates with
Transceiver Stations (BTS), significantly reducing network Telecom Operators to manage various aspects including
downtime in affected areas. Furthermore, leveraging the Network Performance Data, Critical Assets, and Resiliency

Figure 2-Framework for Disaster Resilient Telecom Infrastructure

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