Mobile networks team up to ease net blues

Bhubaneswar: India’s top mobile network operators have teamed up to provide uninterrupted network coverage in Odisha after Cyclone Fani virtually brought all communication networks to a standstill.
This comes as a welcome respite for citizens who have been struggling to communicate or access Internet in the aftermath of the storm.
“#CycloneFAni Alert: Now you can use any available mobile network by searching mobile networks manually in settings. Turn Data Roaming 4 internet. Now all mobile networks BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Jio have merged to give uninterrupted service in cyclone-affected area in Odisha,” tweeted Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited’s (BSCL) official social media handle.
Accessing the internet has been impossible in the cyclone-affected districts of Odisha as network operators are finding it increasingly difficult to provide service either due to lack of electricity or because of other technical damage caused by the storm.
In addition to this, BSCL has also deployed mobile ATM vans ‘‘in excess numbers’’ to aid those who are facing severe cash shortage after the failure of electricity causing disruption of ATM services.
“Mobile ATMs are deployed in excess numbers across #Bhubaneswar to help citizens get cash. Citizens are requested to withdraw limited amounts sufficient for only essential commodities. In image mobile ATM at Cosmopolis #OdishaFightsBackFani #Faniaftermath #ReBuildBBSR,” tweeted BSCL.