DoT activates Intra-Circle Roaming in flood-hit districts of Nagaland, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in disaster-affected districts of Nagaland, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to ensure continuity of telecom services during heavy rains and floods. This move aims to support relief and rescue operations by maintaining communication links.
Background
Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) is a telecom arrangement that allows mobile subscribers to connect to another operator's network within the same telecom circle when their own network is unavailable. It is activated during disasters when telecom infrastructure is damaged.
Key facts
DoT activated ICR in Longleng district (Nagaland), Valsad district (Gujarat), Dadra and Nagar Haveli district, and Daman district (UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu).
ICR is effective until 27 July 2026, 23:59 hours, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Longleng is the second district in Nagaland after Mon to have ICR activated due to heavy rains, landslides, and multiple optical fiber cable cuts.
Severe flooding in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, and adjoining Valsad district caused large-scale network node shutdowns.
ICR allows subscribers of any service provider and roaming users to use any available network where their original network is temporarily down.
The activation follows the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)-2020 for telecom services during disasters and provisions of the Unified License.
DoT is monitoring network status through regional offices and coordinating with service providers for full restoration.
Prelims pointers
- Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR)
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- Unified License
- SOP-2020 for telecom services during disasters
- Longleng district (Nagaland)
- Valsad district (Gujarat)
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (UT)
- Optical Fiber Cable (OFC)
Mains angles
- Role of telecom infrastructure in disaster management and emergency response
- Government mechanisms for ensuring communication continuity during natural calamities
- Critical analysis of SOP-2020 and its implementation in recent disasters