EDOTCO strengthens Sri Lanka’s telecom network resilience with 400 resilient power systems

EDOTCO Strengthens Sri Lanka’s Telecom Network Resilience with 400 Power-Resilient Systems

EDOTCO Services Lanka Pvt Ltd (EDOTCO / EDOTCO Sri Lanka) has commissioned 400 resilient power systems across Sri Lanka to enhance the reliability of the nation’s telecommunications network during natural disasters and prolonged power outages.

The initiative represents an investment of USD 1.7 million (approximately LKR 500 million) and is designed to ensure uninterrupted service at mission-critical telecom sites during grid failures, extreme weather conditions, and national emergencies. Building on this milestone, EDOTCO plans to expand the deployment to 1,000 power-resilient sites by mid-2026, with a total investment of approximately LKR 1.2 billion, significantly strengthening nationwide network reliability.

This rollout follows the recent impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which brought intense rainfall, severe flooding, and landslides across the country. The disaster affected approximately 2.3 million people and severely disrupted power and telecommunications infrastructure. At the height of the crisis, more than 2,000 telecom sites were impacted, leaving several districts without mobile and data services for periods ranging from two to five days.

Network outages were primarily caused by prolonged grid power failures, fibre cuts resulting from floods and landslides, flooding at low-lying sites, and restricted access that delayed restoration efforts. Under the leadership of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), a coordinated response involving mobile network operators, utilities, and the military enabled the restoration of nearly 90% of affected sites within one week.

“The recent floods were a stark reminder that telecommunications is no longer just a commercial service—it is a national lifeline during emergencies,” said Air Vice Marshal Bandula Hearth (Retd.), Director General of TRCSL. “Strengthening power resilience and redundancy at network sites is essential to safeguard public safety, emergency coordination, and economic continuity as climate risks intensify.”

The newly deployed power systems operate as shared infrastructure, supporting all three mobile network operators—Dialog, Hutch, and Mobitel—thereby improving operational efficiency while reducing infrastructure duplication.

Each system is equipped with extended battery backup, rectifiers, standby generators, associated cabins, and alternate power modules. The systems are engineered with defined Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) targets, enabling rapid restoration during power disruptions.

“Cyclone Ditwah clearly demonstrated that power resilience is the weakest link in network continuity, and we must fundamentally change how telecom infrastructure is designed and operated,” said Gayan Koralage, Country Managing Director of EDOTCO Sri Lanka. “This milestone reflects our commitment to keeping networks operational when communities need them most. Power resilience is no longer optional—it is the backbone of national digital resilience.”

EDOTCO Sri Lanka is a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia-based EDOTCO Group, a leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure services provider in Asia and the world’s sixth-largest tower company. EDOTCO Sri Lanka is also the country’s first dedicated tower company to be awarded an Infrastructure Provider License, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s telecommunications ecosystem.

Aligned with Sri Lanka’s digital transformation goals, EDOTCO Sri Lanka continues to focus on expanding network coverage, strengthening infrastructure resilience, and advancing sustainable practices, including clean energy adoption and environmentally responsible design. Through close collaboration with regulators, mobile network operators, and key stakeholders, EDOTCO Sri Lanka remains committed to reinforcing the nation’s communications backbone and enabling inclusive digital access across the country.