Appreciation from "The Hindu"

The country's leading newspaper "The Hindu" has appreciated the sevices of BSNL Cuddalore District during and after the Thane cyclone. Our hearty congratulations to our brothers at Cuddalore!
Here is the news item

TODAY'S PAPER » NATIONAL » TAMIL NADU

CUDDALORE, February 3, 2012

Cell on wheels' weathers cyclone

A.V.RAGUNATHAN

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Mobile microwave tower of BSNL comes in handy to provide uninterrupted service in cyclone- hit Cuddalore.— Photo:C.Venkatachalapathy

The “Cell on Wheels (COW)” has come in handy for the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd to provide uninterrupted mobile phone services in cyclone-affected areas, according to Marshal Antony Leo, General Manager, BSNL, Cuddalore division.

Mr. Leo told The Hindu that the COW was nothing but a cell phone tower mounted on a multi-axle truck that could be moved to any place to sustain telecommunication services even in disaster-affected areas where the installations were damaged and services disrupted.

For instance, of 430 cell phone towers installed by the BSNL in the Cuddalore SSA (short switching area), comprising Cuddalore and Villupuram districts, over 200 could not function for want of power in the aftermath of the cyclone.

However, BSNL mobilised generator-sets to run all telephone exchanges and towers in the affected areas. Mr Leo thanked the State government and the district administration for making arrangements for continuous supply of fuel to operate the generator-sets.

BSNL had therefore spent a sum of Rs. 33 lakh on purchase of fuel to run the generator-sets for about 10 days. However, as the damaged towers at Vandipalayam and Pounambal Nagar could not be immediately repaired, BSNL struck upon the idea of pressing into service the COW to maintain cell phone services to these areas.

The COW, now stationed on the premises of the Thirupadiripuliyur telephone exchange, could provide telecommunication services for a radius of 500 metres. Having realised its potential and utility, BSNL had proposed to deploy a COW at Vadalur during Thai Poosam festivities.

After the truck was stationed at a designated place, the tower would be secured by thick wires on all four sides, Mr. Leo said. Already 401 towers were providing 2G services and 31 towers 3G services in the Cuddalore SSA and soon 96 more towers would be added.

All 162 telephone exchanges, including 59 in urban areas and 103 in rural areas, were broadband covered.

BSNL had 90,000 landline subscribers, amounting to a tele-density of 1.8 per 100 persons, and the density of GSM and WLL connections 7.7 per 100 persons.