![COVID 19 effects: Virus hotspots may face heat by Telecom sector COVID 19 effects: Virus hotspots may face heat by Telecom sector](https://varindia.com/storage/news/uploads/2018/02/5e945eb7c42d5.jpg)
In certain COVID-19 hotspots, the emergency teams of Telecom sector have been blocked by the local authorities, hence phone companies have warned of an imminent breakdown in telecom services.
They have, in fact, sought the urgent intervention of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure their teams can operate freely and ensure uninterrupted mobile and internet connectivity in these sealed locations where the pandemic outbreak is severe.
Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), in a letter to telecom secretary Anshu Prakash, penned that there could be a total breakdown of mobile and internet services if telco technicians are denied access to telecom sites in the Covid-19 hotspots.
The COAI represents Reliance Jio Infocomm, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
“Telecom has been recognised as an essential service in various government orders, but curfew-like restrictions are being imposed by various state governments in areas sealed off as Covid-19 hotspots where no movement of telecom services personnel is being allowed, which can lead to a complete breakdown in services,” Mathews said.
The situation, industry sources said, is particularly challenging in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra where numerous locations have been notified as hotspots where the Covid-19 outbreak is severe.
The COAI, in fact, has urged the Telecom Secretary to “monitor developments and issue instructions to the concerned state governments” to allow movement of staff of Telcos, tower infrastructure service providers, fibre optic providers and (vendor) partners to ensure fault repair and maintenance work” can be undertaken for ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in these sealed off areas.
In response to COAI’s letter, DoT’s Maharashtra wing has already urged the local state police to cooperate with telecom operators and allow their field units to maintain essential telecom services in public interest in the Covid-19 hotspots. Maharashtra is among the worst hit states by the pandemic.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.