Operators have asked for uninterrupted supply of diesel from fuel companies to keep mobile networks running during power outage.
Will warn subscribers of heavy rainfall, other emergencies by SMS
Suhit Kelkar/Mithun Roy
MUMBAI: Two mobile service operators have asked BMC to ensure an uninterrupted supply of diesel from fuel companies to keep the city’s mobile networks running during a power outage this monsoon.
They plan to send SMSes to their subscribers, warning them of heavy rainfall and other emergencies. BMC had already discussed the idea of SMS warning with mobile service providers.
In the latest meeting on the issue this week with Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph, some companies said their networks would keep running only for a few hours on battery if the electricity supply failed. They added that they were installing generators running on diesel, before this monsoon, to operate their networks during power failure.
They asked Joseph to ensure that the diesel suppliers provide them with an uninterrupted supply of fuel to keep the generators running. “They only want a tie-up with diesel companies so that they can access fuel,” Joseph said. He added that representatives of Hutch, Airtel and Tata had made the request.
Airtel and Tata spokespersons confirmed on behalf of their companies, but Hutch was unavailable for comment.
“We will have a discussion with fuel companies about supplying diesel to the mobile service companies,” Joseph said.
Joseph is understood to have assured them of his help. A municipal source, and spokespersons of Tata and AirTel, confirmed this request for uninterrupted fuel supply.
Details of the SMS warning system are being worked out. It will involve BMC informing the mobile service providers of any weather or rain warnings, which they, in turn, would pass on to the subscribers using SMS. In addition, some companies may take inputs from other sources. If this initiative works, it will be a huge system of mass communication. There are over 77 lakh mobile phone users in the city.
The idea of SMS warning was aired by BMC after 26/7. It was observed that confused commuters had rushed to catch trains and buses in the absence of any directions to the contrary and had been stranded on the road for hours in the mounting water.
The SMS warning won’t cost anything to the consumer, the companies said. In addition to this service, one mobile service provider is also linking up with FM radio stations for broadcasting information during emergencies.
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