Yamamoto: secure telecom network during disasters

November 13 , 2019

Yamamoto at Upper House committee meeting on Nov. 12Yamamoto at Upper House committee meeting on Nov. 12

On November 12, Komeito House of Councilors member Hiroshi Yamamoto called on the government to fortify power sources of cellular phone base stations in way of securing a more secure telecommunications network in times of disasters.

Citing the fact that cellphone services were disrupted in numerous areas when widespread blackouts occurred after typhoons Faxai and Hagibis struck earlier this year, Yamamoto said such disruptions could have been avoided if auxiliary power supply systems had kept base stations operating for several days after the loss of main power. He added that the extended-life backup power systems should first be set up at municipal offices that function as disaster management centers and other critical services hubs like hospitals and temporary evacuation facilities.

Vice Minister Minoru Terada of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications basically agreed, saying that new government regulations on backup systems will be developed following a thorough examination of the disaster and its effects.