Ncell’s monsoon-focused RRTs start work

KATHMANDU: Ncell’s Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), established in each district to resolve possible interruptions of telecommunications services caused by monsoon-related disasters, have started work. As a result, it has been possible to restore impacted mobile towers and continue services in a short time despite service disruptions caused by storms, heavy rain, and their impacts.

The RRTs are specially trained to handle emergencies, restore towers, and resume services as quickly as possible, in line with the company’s commitment to keep its customers Sadhain ON.

Due to the hard efforts of these RRTs, Ncell was able to restore more than 70% of 116 impacted towers within four and a half hours in over 15 districts of Koshi, Madhes, and Gandaki Provinces.

These sites were down due to adverse weather on June 26. Due to the effects of the storm and heavy rain, roads were blocked. Similarly, there were multiple breaks in optical fibre, while poles of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and trees had fell down, affecting the electricity supply.

RRTs are specially trained to handle emergencies and restore services as quickly as possible. As a part of disaster preparedness and response, Ncell has implemented several measures to ensure the continuity and quick restoration of its services during the monsoon season, which can be impacted by natural disasters like floods and landslides.
Ncell also has increased its field workforce by 10% compared to regular operations. This additional manpower allows for quicker response times and efficient handling of service disruptions.

Ncell is committed to resuming services in affected areas within 4 to 6 hours, provided there are no major transportation obstacles. This rapid restoration is made possible by enhanced preparedness and increased manpower.

Understanding that power supply interruptions are common during disasters, Ncell has equipped its towers with battery backup systems and maintained fuel stock for the operation of diesel generators. These batteries can support the operation of the towers for 4 to 5 hours in the absence of power, ensuring continuous service.

Ncell has kept its Diesel Generator on Wheel (DoW) and Cell on Wheel (CoW) to provide emergency services during emergencies. Similarly, the company has made necessary preparations, targeting areas with large numbers of customers and places that may be affected by floods.

These preparations are crucial for maintaining telecommunications services when regular power and infrastructure are compromised, aiming to keep essential telecommunications services up and running to keep people always connected.

In collaboration with the Department of Water and Meteorology, Ncell will continue disseminating life-saving early warning alerts via SMS to the public, informing them about potential risks of floods and landslides. Last year alone, Ncell sent over 10 million such alerts, significantly contributing to the safety of lives and properties. To get information about floods, customers can also dial 1155, a toll-free service of the department.