Story of VNPT people "welcoming the storm"
On the afternoon of September 12, just arriving at the VNPT headquarters of Bao Yen district (Lao Cai) to update the network restoration situation, Mr. Bui Minh Hieu - Director of Bao Yen Telecommunication Center, also a member of the district's Flood and Storm Prevention Committee, received an urgent call from a colleague, informing him about the dangerous situation that had just occurred in Bong village (Bao Ha commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai).
The VNPT technical team had just gone 100 meters when they suddenly heard a loud "pop" sound. The entire mountain collapsed right behind them. "Shivering at having just narrowly escaped death" - the entire VNPT repair team in Bao Yen said to themselves when looking at the scene of landslides and rocks.
Not only in Bao Yen, storm Yagi and the circulation of storm No. 3 caused serious flooding and landslides in many places in Lao Cai province such as Bao Yen, Van Ban, Simacai... causing many villages to be isolated; people had to evacuate and take shelter; students could not come to school.
The communication system also encountered problems. The complicated storm situation, paralyzed traffic, made telecommunications rescue work even more difficult. By the afternoon of September 12, Lao Cai province had many more serious landslides. Many roads were flooded with mud up to the waist. VNPT technical staff had to walk completely, carrying dozens of kilograms of heavy equipment on their backs. Even in many places that could not be reached by road, VNPT staff had to rent boats and take shortcuts across the Chay River to promptly repair the system.
That is also the general situation of all units and functional forces in the northern provinces in the past days - days of straining to fight the storm and overcome the consequences after the storm.
Despite the difficulties, with the spirit of overcoming difficulties and determination to maintain the telecommunications network to serve the people and authorities at all levels, thousands of VNPT employees did not hesitate to "eat wind, sleep in the dew, and go on the road to "fight the storm". Nearly 100% of VNPT's staff were mobilized to be on duty, divided to coordinate the implementation of tasks. This is not only the responsibility assigned by the unit but also the "order from the heart" of each person at VNPT.
In localities where the telecommunications network was severely damaged by storm No. 3, VNPT has also shared the network with other telecommunications companies. Up to now, nearly 550,000 mobile subscribers of other networks have used the VinaPhone network to maintain communication, and during peak hours, the VinaPhone network in storm and flood areas has simultaneously served nearly 300,000 mobile subscribers of other networks.
Fellow countrymen, spirit of mutual love
Not only making efforts to "overcome floods", overcome consequences, and ensure smooth information, VNPT Group is urgently promoting the implementation of additional plans to support people in affected localities in the most practical and timely manner.
To share the difficulties with the people, VNPT has deployed support of 100 minutes of domestic calls and 15Gb of data for VinaPhone customers in areas directly affected by flash floods and landslides in 10 northern provinces including Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Bac Giang. This support will help people maintain necessary communication and update information from the government during the difficult period due to serious natural disasters. The program was deployed from September 10 and the package is valid for 7 days from the time the subscriber receives a notification message from VinaPhone.
In addition, the switchboard system, technical staff, equipment and power sources are also continuously supplemented to be ready to serve in parallel with increasing support for people with phone charging points at VinaPhone transaction points. Previously, VNPT also supported communication for people in 6 provinces where super typhoon Yagi caused serious damage by using packages and sharing the network with other network operators.
At the same time, VinaPhone sent tens of millions of text messages to notify people of urgent instructions, recommendations and warnings before and after storm No. 3.
VinaPhone transaction points and fast charging support points will also open from 7am to 10pm-11pm daily to provide services and support people.
In the coming days, VNPT will continue to strengthen measures to respond to incidents caused by floods, especially in high-risk areas. Repairing arising infrastructure will be implemented in order of priority for safety, ensuring service quality and customer experience.
