EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about EENA’s new Public Warning Report Card and AI Special Project report, the European Parliament’s new intergroup for disaster resilience, problems with emergency calls, and much more.
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EENA News
Register now for the EENA 2025 Conference & Exhibition!
Registration is open for the EENA 2025 Conference & Exhibition! Get ready for three days packed with insightful discussions, cutting-edge technologies, and valuable networking opportunities.
Join us at Messukeskus in Helsinki, Finland, on 9-11 April 2025!
Our programme will explore topics related to implementing EU legislation requirements, AI applications, NG112 standards, operational topics, and more.
Don’t forget early bird registration! If you register for the conference before 31 January 2025, the price for members is 125 EUR (excluding VAT). After 31 January, the member’s price is 150 EUR (excluding VAT).
EENA publishes the Public Warning Report Card: A comprehensive review of emergency alert systems in Europe
EENA has published the Public Warning Report Card, an in-depth evaluation of public warning systems across Europe. The Public Warning Report Card is an exclusive resource for EENA members, offering an in-depth analysis of public warning systems across Europe. The report examines technologies, strategies, and best practices, highlighting how effective public warning systems save lives and build resilience in the face of emergencies. It also addresses emerging challenges such as inclusivity, cybersecurity, and adapting to new technologies like 4G and 5G.
The Public Warning Report Card was made possible thanks to the support of Opencode.
EENA publishes AI Special Project Report: Key insights and recommendations for deploying AI in emergency communication centres
Over the past year, we have explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can enhance Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operations across Europe. Working with four companies and PSAPs from eight countries, we piloted tools for real-time language detection, translation and transcription, triage and prioritisation of emergency calls, and noise cancellation to improve call clarity. The results demonstrate AI’s potential to improve call efficiency, support emergency responders, and save lives while highlighting challenges like data security and trust in AI systems.
Who is who in the Public Safety Industry
The latest edition of the “Who-is-who in the Public Safety Industry” is now available! Our latest update provides you with a comprehensive overview of the most recent solutions available in the public safety industry from over 90 companies worldwide and aims to bridge the gap between all stakeholders in the emergency services field.
NG112 & AI Days
Our NG112 & AI Days took place on 4-5 December in Santa Cruz de Tenerife! This event brought together experts, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of emergency communications and the role of AI in enhancing public safety. Thank you to all the participants, speakers and organisers! We are committed to continue our work on these topics, and they will also be discussed at EENA’s Annual Conference in Helsinki, in April 2025.
You can now explore the event presentations for key takeaways from the event.
EENA responds to the European Commission survey on the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade
On 10 December, EENA submitted its response to the European Commission’s survey on the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles. EENA highlights the importance of ensuring access to emergency services under Articles 1 and 2, stressing the need to enforce EU laws like the EECC to protect citizens’ rights and safety. EENA calls for stronger enforcement mechanisms to address non-compliance with emergency service obligations and urges intensified efforts to meet accessibility requirements, such as native total conversation capabilities in handsets by 2026.
Webinars
We want to thank all our webinar speakers and attendants for all the insightful webinars in 2024. Our webinars will return next year with more important conversations. Stay tuned for announcements on our website!
Regulatory news
BEREC publishes report on the adequacy of the EECC for emergency communications
On 11 December 2024, The Body of European Telecommunications Regulators’ (BEREC) published their opinion on the adequacy of the EECC for emergency communications (Article 123). The report, published every three years, found that while overall, the EECC remains future-proofed for emergency communications, several issues have arisen which could affect this. These include the 2G/3G switch-off and a lack of clear EU criteria for advanced mobile location. On the positive side, the report found that advances in satellite communication services could improve coverage for emergency communications in remote areas. The report also identified a significant lack of interest among Member States in implementing the EECC obligations for people with disabilities, with just 15% of Member States stating that they were exploring using RTT to enhance accessibility.
Emergency communications around the world
The European Parliament has approved the intergroup “Resilience, Disaster Management and Civil Protection.”
The initiative aims to prioritize civil protection, disaster management, and resilience at the core of European policies. The intergroup will strengthen European coordination and preparedness for crises by fostering collaboration between parliamentary groups, civil society, and Members of Parliament.
Earlier in November, EENA wrote an open letter calling for the creation of this group, and we are delighted with the outcome. We believe this dedicated space will significantly enhance awareness and foster effective risk management strategies throughout the EU.
Read EENA’s open letter.
Australian mobile network operator Telstra pays AU$3 million fine following emergency call failure
Australian mobile operator Telstra has been fined over AU$3 million (1.9m EUR) by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching emergency call rules during a 90-minute emergency call outage on 1 March 2024. An investigation found 473 breaches, with 127 calls failing to transfer due to incorrect backup phone numbers, and digital location information unavailable for other calls. During the disruption, a man in Victoria died of cardiac arrest. ACMA criticised Telstra’s contingency failures but acknowledged its swift actions to restore trust, including updating backup processes and commissioning an independent review.
Read more here (Datacenter Dynamics)
Norwegian authority recommends Telenor to lose emergency call provision monopoly
The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has recommended ending Telenor’s monopoly on providing emergency call services in Norway after recent incidents highlighted reliability issues. Nkom suggests that competition and alternatives could improve the system’s robustness and prevent future failures.
Read more here (Telecompaper).
Cannes is the only city in France prepared for the expected tsunami
The city of Cannes is the only French municipality certified “tsunami ready” by the United Nations, following a prevention plan launched by UNESCO. Scientists warn that seismic activity in the Mediterranean will make a tsunami highly probable on France’s southeastern coast within the next 30 years. Cannes has implemented measures such as evacuation drills, permanent signage, and a civil security reserve to prepare residents for a potential tsunami. The city’s preparedness includes loudspeakers, mapped refuge zones, and awareness campaigns in schools and public areas. Other cities like Marseille and Nice are working towards similar readiness, but Cannes remains the leader in tsunami preparedness in France.
Read more here (Le Figaro, in French).