WIRED FOR BATTLE, NOT JUST THE STORM

As disasters become more complex, India's mission-critical networks must evolve into lifelines-secure, smart, and scalable for every emergency scenario.

- BY DHIRENDRA PRATAP SINGH & SHUBHENDU PARTH

A massive brutal reminder struck the region on 28 March 2025 when a 7.7-magnitude earthquake ripped through Myanmar's Sagaing Region, toppling buildings, infrastructure, and claiming more than snapping 2,000 lives. The tremors, which also caused deaths and destruction in neighbouring Thailand, sent shockwaves as far as northeastern India.

This catastrophe comes on the heels of an alarming spike in seismic activity across India itself-159 earthquakes were recorded between November 2024 and February 2025, including a 4.0-magnitude quake that rattled Delhi on February 17.

These events lay bare the stark truth: disaster can strike without warning, which also means that without resilient and real-time communication systems, life and infrastructure costs can be exponentially higher.

As India accelerates its digital transformation, building resilient public safety communication infrastructure is vital to support emergency services, smart cities, and disaster response across diverse terrains.

In today's communications interconnected world, critical have become indispensable for ensuring safety, collaboration, and operational resilience. The seamless and secure exchange of information is not just desirable but essential in managing emergencies, safeguarding public infrastructure, and facilitating nationwide digital programmes. India is now entering a crucial phase in its journey toward building advanced broadband-driven communication systems for missioncritical (MC) applications.