Turkcell and Ericsson assist Iranian earthquake relief

ISTANBUL (CELLULAR NEWS) – Turkey’s Turkcell and Ericsson have sent wide capacity mobile communications equipment and systems to meet the emergency communication needs in the region of the Iranian earthquake an Bam. Under the umbrella of Turkcell’s fast deployable "Emergency Communication System" project, initiated in cooperation with Ericsson, the equipment was sent to Iran and a full communications network was set up in a record speed of nearly 24 hours after the equipment was on site. The network is operational as of today and can accomodate 5,000 people. The capacity can be increased up to 40,000 people.

In addition to the mobile network, Turkcell and Ericsson sent 1 radio base station, 3 mobile base stations, 10 generators and satellite equipment.

Turkcell had completed its unique and fast deployable mobile "Emergency Communications System" project in 2002, in order to set up emergency communications systems in Turkey and surrounding areas to be activated in disaster situations. The project is established in cooperation with the global Ericsson Response Project and enables the emergency rescue teams to communicate on GSM technology.

The "Emergency Communications System" is built to solve probable communications problems that crisis management and rescue teams may face after natural disasters like an earthquake. Immediately after the disaster, the system is transported to the area and reassembled. The system stays operational in the area as long as the need for quality communications services over GSM technology continues among the crisis management and rescue teams.