PTA Pushes Telcos to Weather the Storm

During Pakistan’s recurring monsoon problems, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has come to the fore, setting up the National Emergency Telecommunication Coordination Centre (NETCC) to ensure seamless mobile and internet connectivity in flash-flood-hit areas. The notification instructed all telecom operators and mobile operators to institute contingency measures, protect infrastructure in sensitive regions, and inform PTA Headquarters instantaneously upon occurrence of service breaches.

Operators are required to submit restoration updates every six hours, while franchises and local loop operators are responsible for customer complaints handling and SIM and top-up services. Emergency teams, stationed at field and regional levels, will man top-up points and resolution centers to provide constant access to balance recharges and simple services.

Significantly, mobile operators will also have to transmit flood-awareness messages, evacuation routes, and emergency contact numbers in national and regional languages, with a focus on communication for relief workers and rescue teams. Mobile units will be sent temporarily where required to fill gaps in coverage and keep disaster-affected communities connected and informed.