The National Communications Commission is discussing ways to ensure that the
public can maintain communication during emergencies.

In a report at the Legislative Yuan today, the NCC says Typhoon Danas caused
extensive damage to communication networks in the Chiayi and Tainan areas,
and recent heavy rains are delaying repairs.

The commission says trials to test a "disaster roaming" mechanism that would
allow the public to connect to other functioning communication networks
during such circumstances have been succesful, and the technology is viable.

Officials say they are now discussing whether government funds can be used to
cover disaster roaming, and will focus on creating standard operating
procedures for inter-agency cooperation.

According to NCC statistics, the typhoon on July 6th cut over 12-thousand
landlines and damaged over 1-thousand mobile base stations, leading to
widespread communication outages in the region.

(NS)