A workshop was held at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission- BTRC on Monday regarding the establishment of a national emergency telecommunication system to keep telecommunication services running in disaster-hit areas. Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was the chief guest at the workshop. The workshop was presided over by the Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman.
BTRC Chairman (Senior Secretary) Shyam Sundar Sikdar, Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Additional Secretary KN Wadud, Armed Forces Divisional Director General Brigadier General Hossain Mohammad Moshiur Rahman were present as special guests.
The workshop was attended by representatives of various government ministries and agencies, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, various telecommunication service providers and representatives of NGOs.
Discussions and recommendations were presented in the group discussion of the workshop. In Group A, the current capabilities and challenges of government telecom organizations and government forces, including the armed forces, in ensuring long-distance telecommunication services were determined. The participants discussed the formulation of national disaster telecom policy to ensure disaster telecommunication services, establishment of sustainable telecom connectivity in cyclone centers and using the existing disaster telecommunication capabilities such as cellular mobile, VSAT, satellite phone, broadband and WiFi network, PMR (walkie-talkie), community radio, and amateur radio, NTTN POP, BTV and Bangladesh Betar.
In Group B, proposals for setting up a national emergency telecommunication system to ensure telecommunication services in disaster areas were presented with modern telecom network technology and equipment. The participants highlighted the importance of using HF, VHF technology, VSAT and Walkie-Talkie in rescue operations as well as developing existing telecommunication technology and use of mobile networks, public WiFi and community radio in public awareness and identification of disaster prone areas for establishing national emergency telecommunication system, active tower sharing, optical fiber, Recommends use of microwaves and VSAT and ensuring sustainable power such as batteries, solar or generator systems.
And group C highlights the challenges and ways forward for public and private organizations in implementing the proposed emergency telecommunication system network. The participants on the said topics include establishing proper network connectivity in the facilities used as shelters, incorporating specific provisions in the construction of telecom facilities in government institutions, introduction of underground transmission system, installation of solar in all government facilities, health centers and shelters, area wise resource allocation and mobilization plan according to the type of disaster. He presented the recommendations for determination. Apart from this, they also mentioned the issue of repairing the damaged network of mobile operators during disaster, starting alternative mobile network, rebuilding NTTN network, establishing electricity connection through portable generator or extra battery connection to the tower as soon as possible.
Also in Group D, the participants determined the organizations operating long-distance emergency telecommunication services and determined their scope of work. He recommended that the National Disaster Management Council be kept as the main coordinator during the disaster and the Department of Posts and Telecommunications will provide support to the organization during the disaster.
Besides, they also recommended setting up a separate cell in BTRC to provide emergency telecommunication services and keeping telecom services operational by using low orbit satellites as soon as possible during emergencies.
In his welcome speech, the BTRC Vice Chairman Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed said that in the era of information technology, telecommunication has reduced the digital divide between the rich and the poor besides increasing the quality of life of people. Mentioning the need for integrated opinion of various public and private organizations in establishing emergency telecommunication services, he said, BTRC is working to ensure uninterrupted and quality internet and voice call services.
Brigadier General Md. Nasim Parvez, Director General of Systems and Services Department of BTRC presented the keynote at the workshop and said that according to the data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the average annual economic loss of Bangladesh due to various disasters from 2015 to 2020 is about 1.32 percent of the GDP and in terms of Taka which is 1 lakh 79 One thousand 198 million taka. Besides, 3 crore 41 lakh people were affected due to floods. Damage to residences and other infrastructure amounted to Tk. 13,231 crore. He also said that due to recent floods in Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona, more than 45% of mobile operators’ BTS sites (towers) were down and non-operational.
While speaking as the special guest, Mr. Shyam Sundar Sikdar, chairman of BTRC, said that communication is very important in disaster control and the recommendations presented in the workshop will play an effective role in the implementation of the national emergency telecommunication system.
KN Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said that standardized and improved telecommunication system will reduce the damage of disaster to a great extent and establishment of technical infrastructure and integrated emergency telecommunication policy can play an important role in achieving disaster resilience.
Director General of Armed Forces Division Hossain Mohammad Moshiur Rahman emphasized the development of a modern and technological telecommunication infrastructure to achieve disaster resilience while spoke as the special guest.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman mentioned that it is essential to establish emergency telecom services in the affected areas during disasters. If disaster forecasting, disaster information and post-disaster initiatives are coordinated, it will be possible to reduce the damage and complete the rehabilitation activities properly.
As the Chief Guest, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Mustafa Jabbar, said that the recent floods in Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrakona districts should not be repeated in the future. After the implementation of the ‘One country, one rate’ in the case of broadband internet, the work of determining an acceptable price in the case of mobile internet is underway, the minister said, the importance of telecommunication in national disasters is immense and the recommendations of the workshop will play an important role in the implementation of the national emergency telecommunication system.
Commissioner of Legal and Licensing Department Abu Syed Dilzar Hossain, Commissioner of Spectrum Department Prof Sheikh Riaz Ahmed, Director General of Administration Department Md Delwar Hossain, Director General of Engineering and Operations Department Brigadier General Md Ehsanul Kabir, Director General of Legal and Licensing Department Ashish Kumar Kundu were present on the occasion.