Relief 123: BSNL & Vihaan Networks signed pact for instant emergency connectivity

Relief 123: BSNL & Vihaan Networks Limited

At the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC ) 2017, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Indian telecom gearmaker Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL ) have signed pact to launch Relief 123 service to provide disaster management in India, which will provide instant connectivity during disaster.

BSNL & VNL Pact

The pact has signed for collaboration for selling, installation and management of disaster relief equipment using latest telecom technology. This is relevant for rural and difficult areas of India.

As per the pact, both the companies will deploy emergency mobile network in the event of a natural disaster that will help track those trapped and even identify them with their names.

About Relief 123

  1. It is an integrated disaster response solution for first responders and public safety agencies.
  2. Designed and manufactured by VNL and the backhaul connectivity will be provided by BSNL.
  3. The service will restore connectivity at disaster sites, help locate the affected people and integrate information across platforms for quick relief.

The model can also be scaled for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, wherein BSNL would have roaming agreements with local mobile service operators.

ResQMobil?

The Relief 123 is based on ResQMobil, an integrated portable communication solution which packs in the required hardware into a portable transportable trailer-on-wheels.

In other words, the solution — Relief 123 — consists of a portable mobile station with 24-hour power back-up and a solar panel attached to it for further support.

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Statements regarding Relief 123

Mr. Anupam Shrivastava , the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BSNL, said at the IMC 2017:

Given that our country is prone to natural disasters, the availability and quick deployment of comprehensive communications solutions will help disaster management agencies mount faster and more reliable search and rescue operations. We are happy to partner with VNL for this.

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Rajiv Mehrotra (the VNL founder and Chairman) stated that:

There are three models of Relief 123 which can be deployed depending on the scale of operation and situation. It can have telecom network up and running in an hour. It will search people in the location with help of mobile signal even if the entire telecom network has collapsed in the area and show the name of the person trapped during the disaster.

He claimed that the network will be able to track the person with up to 1 metre location accuracy. The solution will be deployed if and when required under the agreement.

Mr. Mehrotra further said:

By the end of this year, we hope to start shipment of this designed and made in India product to the US, Latin America and countries in South East Asia as well.

Megha Jain

Engg & Freelance Author

Straight forward