The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering the use of drones and tethered balloons to restore 5G connectivity during emergencies and natural disasters, especially when conventional telecom services face significant disruptions, according to a report in The Economic Times.
The report quoted an official as saying that the DOT is likely to conduct trials in the coming months to assess the effectiveness of this venture. The department plans to complete the trials and make a final decision by June next year.
The official said: “There is a plan to provide a temporary 5G network using tethered balloons or drones to provide mobile coverage during emergencies and disasters.” This would help in providing 5G connectivity during natural disasters or emergencies such as accidents in remote locations, the official added.
The government sees the use of drones and balloons for telecom connectivity as a significantly more convenient alternative during disasters than setting up new cell sites. According to industry experts, in such circumstances, telecom companies can leverage their current spectrum to provide connectivity, while power supply needs can be met through backup or solar technologies.
Disaster Management Unit
The DoT’s disaster management department is responsible for ensuring telecom connectivity during and after disasters. In addition to addressing connectivity requirements, the department also sends early warning messages and implements automated priority call routing during such events, the report said.
In the event of a disaster, DoT works with all stakeholders, including telecom operators, to quickly restore connectivity. This may involve setting up temporary mobile networks or repairing damaged networks. As part of its disaster management strategies, the government has already enforced infrastructure sharing among telecom companies. This allows users to connect to any operational tower in disaster-affected areas, regardless of its owner, the report said.
Disruption of the power supply
A primary cause of network outages during natural disasters is the lack of power supply. Therefore, the government has recommended that operators maintain backup power systems. Regulations specify that to address disruptions in mobile services caused by damaged base tower stations, telecom companies must maintain a defined minimum inventory of portable base stations and satellite equipment for restoration of connectivity.
First print: June 1, 2024 | 2:04 PM IST