JEDDAH: Service providers will now have to put in place a mechanism that will allow mobile phone subscribers to contact helpline numbers during emergencies or catastrophes.
The move follows amendments to the tasks and responsibilities of the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology, which were recently approved by the Supreme Council of Civil Defense.
The ministry will have to coordinate with the Communication and Information Technology Commission to direct service providers to ensure that subscribers are able to move between networks during emergencies.
Sources have said that the amendments include defining the schedule for the service providers who own the infrastructure to keep their services streaming during emergencies and disasters and that they should conduct tests so that the services are operational.
The ministry is obliged to allocate the necessary frequencies in case of interruption in communication service, direct service providers to name delegates who will represent them in Civil Defense operation centers during emergency situations and to operate and maintain a network of service providers in the region affected by disaster or emergencies.
Coordination will also be obligatory between service providers and the General Directorate of Civil Defense with regard to broadcasting of warnings and to direct service providers to form teams to quickly restore the service, repair any damages to communications equipment.
The ministry will have to fulfill fire protection requirements in its buildings and departments, to prepare evacuation plans for their workers during disasters and emergencies and organize educational programs for all employees on dealing with potential risks during disasters and emergencies.
The move follows amendments to the tasks and responsibilities of the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology, which were recently approved by the Supreme Council of Civil Defense.
The ministry will have to coordinate with the Communication and Information Technology Commission to direct service providers to ensure that subscribers are able to move between networks during emergencies.
Sources have said that the amendments include defining the schedule for the service providers who own the infrastructure to keep their services streaming during emergencies and disasters and that they should conduct tests so that the services are operational.
The ministry is obliged to allocate the necessary frequencies in case of interruption in communication service, direct service providers to name delegates who will represent them in Civil Defense operation centers during emergency situations and to operate and maintain a network of service providers in the region affected by disaster or emergencies.
Coordination will also be obligatory between service providers and the General Directorate of Civil Defense with regard to broadcasting of warnings and to direct service providers to form teams to quickly restore the service, repair any damages to communications equipment.
The ministry will have to fulfill fire protection requirements in its buildings and departments, to prepare evacuation plans for their workers during disasters and emergencies and organize educational programs for all employees on dealing with potential risks during disasters and emergencies.
