The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) held a meeting on disaster management and emergency telecom response strategies.
Government and private sector representatives, including telecom operators, power supply agencies, and emergency services attended the event held at the BTRC office in Agargaon, Dhaka, on July 15.
The meeting focused on managing telecom infrastructure during disasters and ensuring uninterrupted services, says a press release.
Key issues discussed included power outages, network damage, and difficulties in technician mobility to disaster-hit areas.
Brigadier General Shafiul Azam Parvez, director-general of BTRC’s Engineering and Operations Department, outlined challenges like optical fiber and microwave link damage, call drops, and managing backup generators.
He also noted the shortage of alternative communication methods, such as amateur radio, in emergencies.
Representatives from mobile operators and Nationwide Telecom Transmission Networks (NTTN) stressed the importance of collaborating with the Power Development Board (PDB) and Rural Electrification Board (REB) to manage power during disasters.
The Bangladesh Satellite Company’s representative highlighted difficulties in transporting telecom equipment to disaster zones and proposed the establishment of permanent satellite and generator installations in these areas.
The meeting also called for a permanent disaster management policy and proposed dividing disaster zones into Red, Yellow, and Green categories to prioritize high-risk areas.
BTRC Commissioner Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed (Retd) emphasized the need for cooperation between operators and stakeholders to strengthen network infrastructure. He stressed the integration of telecom in disaster management plans.
The meeting was attended by BTRC senior officials, representatives from the Disaster Management Directorate, Bangladesh Electricity Development Board, Bangladesh Satellite Company, mobile operators, and other key stakeholders.