Telecom sector provides seamless connectivity during FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017

While the entire country has been enjoying the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 and fans have been cheering for their favourite teams and players nonstop, the telecom players have been spending their days and night to ensure a seamless communication network in the six host cities. The telecom industry managed to put on air over 59 critical sites for the tournament in six cities within a record time. Some of these cities also included permanent sites, MBTS, IBS.

The matches are being held in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Goa and Kochi. Along with the stadiums, the network has been strengthened at the training grounds of the 24 participating teams in all six cities and the hotels where the players will be staying.

“Speaking on the preparedness and this timely feat accomplished in record time, Rajan S. Mathews, Director General, COAI, said, “FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 will be a historical milestone in Indian sports and being the host nation, we want to make the event a huge success. Telcos are geared up to provide seamless network connectivity to all the participating teams, organisers, broadcasters, media and, most importantly, spectators and international visitors. Telecom services are essential for such large-scale events and it is a matter of pride for all of us that we managed to put up a safe and secure infrastructure and flawless connectivity in such a small span of time.”

A total of 24 teams are participating in the mega sporting event, drawing around 50,000 spectators, managed by 5,000 organiser personnel, apart from security, ground staff, amongst others. Around one lakh foreign spectators are expected to attend. Cognisant of the fact that connectivity and access is one of the key elements for the success of a tournament of this scale, the DoT has left no stone unturned to work with the industry in facilitating access to these sites.

It is estimated that one lakh foreign visitors will be coming to India for witnessing the FIFA tournament and they will require local SIMs. Telcos are working closely with FIFA team to ensure preparedness in terms of Subscriber Verification Process for foreigners to enable SIM availability to all the 24 teams. Kiosks/stalls have been set up at airports at these six cities to ensure availability of SIMs to all the foreign spectators arriving in India for the tournament.