Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains as PTA activates NETCC, orders emergency plans, mobile units, and 6-hour outage reports.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a nationwide directive to all telecom operators, ordering them to maintain mobile and internet services without disruption during the ongoing monsoon season. This comes amid heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides affecting multiple regions of the country. The PTA emphasized that uninterrupted communication is essential for emergency services, public safety, and disaster response coordination.
Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains by Following PTA Protocols
To ensure network resilience, PTA has required all licensed operators to activate contingency plans. These include deploying additional power backups, securing telecom infrastructure, and mobilizing technical staff to flood-prone areas. Operators must guarantee service continuity even in extreme weather conditions.
National Emergency Telecommunication Coordination Centre (NETCC) Now Active
In response to widespread weather alerts, PTA has activated the National Emergency Telecommunication Coordination Centre (NETCC). This centralized system will oversee service continuity and coordinate real-time response efforts with regional telecom teams and disaster management authorities. NETCC will also monitor outages and direct emergency deployments.
Submitting Reports Every 6 Hours
PTA has instructed that telecom firms prioritize bandwidth allocation, signal strength optimization, and dedicated communication channels for disaster response units. Agencies such as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), emergency medical services (EMS), civil defense teams, and law enforcement units—including police and military rapid response forces—must have uninterrupted telecom access to manage rescue, evacuation, and relief operations efficiently. Telecom operators are directed to enable priority call routing, low-latency data channels, and secure communication lines for these agencies to facilitate real-time coordination, resource deployment, and life-saving interventions in high-risk and flood-affected areas.
Emergency Deployment of Mobile Towers in Flooded Zones
In severely impacted districts where permanent towers have failed or fiber optic lines are damaged due to floods or landslides, telecom firms are required to deploy mobile communication units to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. These include portable base transceiver stations (BTS), satellite-linked cell-on-wheels (COWs), temporary microwave relays, and compact mobile repeaters. These mobile units are equipped with emergency power supplies, high-gain antennas, and real-time network diagnostic tools to restore voice, SMS, and 4G/5G internet coverage in affected regions. Their rapid deployment capability allows telecom operators to maintain service continuity in disaster-hit zones, support emergency responders, and provide lifeline communication for displaced communities.
With Localized Awareness Campaigns
All telecom operators must also play an active role in disaster communication by issuing localized flood alerts, evacuation advisories, and real-time public safety messages. These critical notifications will be disseminated through multiple channels, including SMS broadcasts, automated call announcements (IVR), mobile applications, cell-broadcast systems, and official social media platforms. To ensure maximum outreach, messages must be issued in regional languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, and others relevant to local populations. The goal is to empower citizens with timely information—such as rising water levels, road closures, shelter locations, and emergency contact numbers—so they can take immediate precautionary action and avoid high-risk zones.
Priority Network Access for Emergency and Relief Agencies
PTA has instructed that telecom firms prioritize bandwidth and signal access for disaster response units. Agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), emergency medical teams, and security forces must have uninterrupted telecom access to manage rescue operations effectively.
Restoring Franchise Operations
Local Loop Operators (LLOs) and mobile service franchises must reopen their service centers, especially in areas where internet and landline connectivity are disrupted. PTA has emphasized restoring public access to SIM services, recharge facilities, and broadband complaint handling via temporary retail setups.
SIMs, Recharge, and Data Services Must Remain Available
Operators must ensure the availability of mobile top-up, data bundles, and SIM card replacements. Where regular outlets are damaged or closed, companies are instructed to provide mobile recharge vans and promote digital payments to facilitate continued service use.
Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains Using 24/7 Field Support Teams
All operators must deploy emergency response staff on a 24/7 basis to carry out maintenance, troubleshoot network issues, and support consumers in real time. These technical teams should be stationed strategically in regions with high flood risk to reduce downtime.
Direct Coordination With NDMA and PMD for Accurate Weather Tracking
PTA is working in close partnership with the NDMA, PMD (Pakistan Meteorological Department), and provincial disaster authorities to coordinate telecom response with live weather alerts. This collaboration enables operators to respond preemptively to risk-prone zones based on predictive weather models.
Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains With Long-Term Infrastructure Resilience
In addition to short-term measures, the PTA is pushing for long-term network resilience. Telecom firms have been asked to waterproof sensitive equipment, secure transmission lines, reinforce towers, and elevate underground fiber ducts in historically flood-prone districts. Operators must also build disaster-ready operational zones with trained local staff.
Customer Complaint Handling Must Remain Operational Nationwide
To maintain service quality and public confidence, operators must provide round-the-clock customer complaint resolution via call centers, SMS helplines, and official mobile apps. PTA will monitor response times and resolution efficiency, especially in regions reporting widespread service issues.
Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains With Full Transparency
All telecom companies must maintain complete transparency with the regulator and submit regular compliance reports. These should include daily updates on network stability, field team deployments, service uptime, and restoration efforts. PTA will issue fines or take disciplinary action against firms that fail to meet emergency standards.
Conclusion: Telecom Firms Told to Maintain Services During Heavy Rains to Support National Crisis Response
With the monsoon season bringing devastating rainfall and flooding across the country, uninterrupted telecom services are more critical than ever. PTA’s comprehensive directive, along with NETCC activation and strict monitoring, underscores the essential role of communication in disaster response. Telecom operators are now on the front lines of keeping citizens connected, ensuring emergency teams are coordinated, and helping minimize the human impact of natural disasters.
