Cyclone Fani: Telecom department reviews network services of telcos

Mumbai: Telecom operators have rolled out free messaging services, special loan plans and set up emergency intra-circle roaming pacts between themselves, while trying to ensure network outages remain the bare minimum as cyclone Fani, or ‘hood of a snake’, hit India’s east coast on Friday.

Vodafone Idea (VIL), Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio) have set up war rooms and are monitoring the progress of the cyclone .

“Free SMS has been activated for VIL customers and Rs 5-10 loan is available for users if they exhaust their balance during emergency,” said Vodafone Idea, India’s largest telecom firm. Besides rolling out emergency helpline number, the operator has ensured its sites had sufficient fuel supply and strategic locations had fuel stocked up as well.