The Indian government has instructed all private and state-owned telecom operators to ramp up disaster-level preparedness, ensure uninterrupted nationwide connectivity, and collaborate effectively to maintain seamless network operations during emergencies.
During a meeting on May 7, telecom operators were urged to compile and regularly update a list of critical telecom infrastructure and installations, with a particular focus on border districts to guarantee their protection and functionality in crisis scenarios.
“Special emphasis may be paid to ensure uninterrupted working of BTS locations within 100 km of the international border,” stated the Ministry of Communications’ disaster management division in a letter dated May 7.
Highlighting the evolving security landscape, the Ministry emphasized the necessity of maintaining seamless communication to support national security and effective disaster response. It called for strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2020 for telecom services in disaster situations, labeling the directive as “URGENT” and requiring immediate action.
The Ministry also directed the Licensed Service Area (LSA) heads of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to coordinate with state governments to ensure the smooth logistical movement of telecom teams during emergencies. It also urged efforts to protect critical telecom infrastructure from potential threats.
“On receipt of a request from the Ministry of Defence, operation of specified communication facilities on designated days must be arranged without fail,” the letter stated. The government instructed telcos to maintain adequate reserves of diesel for generator (DG) sets to ensure uninterrupted power to telecom infrastructure. It also called for the strategic deployment of reserve teams, including repair crews and essential spares at key locations, to facilitate rapid restoration of services when required. Additionally, comprehensive testing of communication equipment, media paths, and backup systems was mandated to confirm their operational readiness.
All operators were directed to test the Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) facility for preparedness and, if necessary, submit requests to the DDG (Disaster Management) for its activation as per policy guidelines. An official familiar with the discussions shared that telcos were briefed to prepare their networks for disaster scenarios akin to cyclones or wartime conditions, which includes testing SOPs related to fuel supply, control rooms, and quick response teams.
A senior DoT official noted that telcos have been instructed to stay vigilant, with security protocols already in place. If required, additional measures could be implemented to strengthen network security. A senior executive from a private telecom operator confirmed that compliance reports are submitted monthly to the DoT, and current security protocols are up to date. “SOPs are being ensured, and no major intervention at the security or hardware level is currently needed,” the executive added.
Queries sent to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BSNL, and the DoT remained unanswered. Additionally, the Indian government, through its nodal cyber agency, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), has issued special advisories to financial institutions and other critical sectors to fortify their cyber defenses amid rising cyber threats to Indian digital infrastructure. The directive extends to private industries, urging rapid-response measures to counter emerging risks.
