The Kochi police are keen to strengthen the mobile phone network at sea, and to this end are preparing to hold talks with private mobile network providers in the state for installing more mobile towers in the Kochi coastal belt.
This move comes after several recent incidents, including the Enrica Lexie firing and MV Prabhu Daya mishap, in which fishermen were unable to communicate to land over the phone.
The network providers will be asked to extend their reach to 20 nautical miles into the sea along the coastline, from the current 5-km reach.
Coastal mobile towers are currently restricted to 5 km because of radiation-related stipulations.
Fishing communities in the state have been requesting the government to strengthen the mobile network across the coastal belt of Kerala.
The same complaint was also raised at the ‘Safe Kochi Secure Kochi’ review meeting held in the city a few days back.
“Only the MTS mobile network has the range at a few locations on Kochi seas. We have been requesting the government to direct all the network providers to install powerful towers along the coastal belt.
We had also given a memorandum to chief minister Oommen Chandy,” said Charles George, president of Kerala Fishermen's Aikyavedi.
K. Padmakumar, IG of central zone police, said the private mobile network providers will be asked to install more powerful mobile towers.
“There is a limit to the present mobile tower networks. We need better towers with powerful network to reach more area out at sea. The police is ready to offer any help for network providers.”
Meanwhile, BSNL is also considering extension of its network coverage into the Arabian Sea.