In News:

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is piloting a Cell Broadcast (CB) system to enhance emergency communication and deliver real-time disaster alerts across India.

What is the Cell Broadcast System?

Cell Broadcasting is a telecommunication technology that enables mobile network operators to send geographically targeted text alerts to all mobile devices in a specific area. Unlike traditional SMS, CB messages are broadcast simultaneously to all phones within a cell tower’s coverage, ensuring instant delivery even during network congestion.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Instantaneous alerts during emergencies like earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and industrial disasters.
• Indigenously developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
• Language inclusivity: Messages can be broadcast in multiple Indian languages.
• Particularly effective in high-density areas and during network overloads.

Integration with Existing Systems:

This CB system complements the existing Integrated Alert System (SACHET), which:

• Has delivered over 6,899 crore SMS alerts.
• Covers all 36 States and Union Territories.
• Supports 19 Indian languages.
• Is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) as recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Once fully deployed, the Cell Broadcast system will strengthen India’s disaster preparedness, ensuring wider, faster, and more inclusive dissemination of critical alerts.