Chennai: In the wake of Cyclone Fengal, which has brought heavy rains and flooding to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the government has taken a crucial step to ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity for citizens. Telecom companies—BSNL, Airtel, Jio, and Vi—have been directed to allow users to access any available network in five districts of Tamil Nadu until 11:59 PM on December 6. This temporary measure, known as Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR), aims to address the connectivity issues caused by damage to mobile network infrastructure.

Why the Measure Was Needed

Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on Saturday, bringing continuous heavy rainfall and widespread flooding. Though the cyclone weakened on Sunday, the rain persisted, disrupting daily life and causing significant damage to infrastructure, including mobile networks.

Many residents have struggled to reach emergency services or stay connected with their loved ones. The situation prompted authorities to involve the Army for evacuations and to declare holidays for all schools and colleges in Puducherry on December 3.

To address the critical communication gap, the government urged telecom operators to allow cross-network connectivity for users in the affected regions. This temporary arrangement ensures that no matter which service provider you use, you can make calls and use mobile data by connecting to any operational network in the area.

Understanding Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR)

ICR is a service that allows mobile users to connect to any available telecom network, regardless of their original service provider. For instance, if you're a Jio user but the Jio network in your area is down, you can automatically switch to Airtel, BSNL, or Vi towers for calls and internet access.

This agreement between telecom companies is especially critical during emergencies, like cyclones or floods, when infrastructure damage can disrupt normal network operations. Once the emergency is resolved, users are automatically switched back to their original networks.

How It Works

Temporary Access: Until December 6, users in the affected regions of Tamil Nadu can access any operational network for calls and data.

No Manual Changes Needed: Users don’t need to manually adjust settings; the switch happens automatically if their original network is unavailable.

Post-Emergency Transition: After the emergency period ends, users will seamlessly return to their regular service providers.

Impact of the Decision

This measure has provided a lifeline to thousands of residents in flood-hit areas. With better connectivity, people can:

Access emergency services.

Stay in touch with family and friends.

Receive real-time updates from authorities.

The move underscores the importance of collaboration between the government and telecom operators during natural disasters, ensuring that citizens remain connected when they need it most. As Tamil Nadu continues to recover from the cyclone's impact, such steps are vital for restoring normalcy and aiding relief efforts.