EENA Update 04/02/2026
EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about the issues with 2G/3G shutdown, Apple’s software update to tackle problems, Thailand’s cell broadcast testing, and much more!
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EENA News
EENA calls for a delay of the 2G/3G shutdown until emergency communications issues are resolved
EENA calls for the delay of the 2G/3G shutdown until emergency communications issues are resolved.
After years of raising urgent concerns about the risks that the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks poses to public safety, EENA today strongly recommends delaying the planned 2G/3G network switch-off until the identified emergency communications issues are fully resolved. The transition to exclusively 4G and 5G networks can prevent people from reaching emergency services, particularly due to interoperability problems between devices and network voice services. In some cases, emergency calls may connect but with degraded quality, including the inability of services to call back and the absence or unreliability of critical data such as caller location.
These risks are no longer hypothetical, as 2G and 3G networks have already been shut down in several European countries. Without urgent action, more people may be unable to reliably reach emergency services or receive an appropriate emergency response when it matters most.
EENA therefore urges policymakers, regulators, and mobile network operators to postpone further 2G and 3G shutdowns. At the same time, all stakeholders, including phone manufacturers, must work together to develop and deploy viable migration solutions that ensure continuity and long-term resilience of emergency and critical communications.
Registration for EENA Conference & Exhibition 2026 is open!
Join us in Riga, Latvia, on 15-17 April 2026, for three days of discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to connect with over 700 public safety professionals from more than 50 countries.
The conference programme will focus on strengthening preparedness and resilience in emergency communications, addressing challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainty, natural disasters, and the phasing out of 2G/3G networks. We will also explore Public Warning Systems, data integration, Next Generation 112, AI in PSAPs, and forthcoming EU legislation.
Registration for the pre-conference workshop is now open! Organised by Verisure, this exclusive session for public authority representatives will offer a strategic forum for PSAPs and third-party services to explore how cooperation models are evolving in today’s emergency response landscape. The workshop is free of charge, and you must be registered for the 2026 conference to attend.
New EENA Members’ Area is now live!
We have launched the new EENA Members’ Area! The Members’ Area has been designed to make managing your EENA membership easier and to provide a single place for accessing member-specific resources, such as the PSAP report. Additional content and features will be added gradually, including webinar registrations and member updates later this year.
If you are already an EENA member and have not registered yet
Please register in the Members’ Area to activate your access and remain up to date with member communications and member-only benefits.
If you are a corporate member
Your organisation’s account should be set up by the main contact, who will then be able to add colleagues from the same organisation.
If you are not currently a member
If you would like to become an EENA member, you are welcome to apply for ESSN or researcher membership! If you are from a company that would like to join EENA, please reach out to [email protected] for more details.
New document: Cooperation for crisis management
Climate change and human activity are driving more frequent and complex crises, from devastating wildfires and deadly floods to attacks on critical infrastructure and major technology failures affecting emergency response.
The latest EENA document, by our Technical & Operational Committee co-chair Iratxe Gomez Susaeta, explores how regions and countries can access international support when disaster strikes, including tools such as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), rescEU, the European Civil Protection Pool, and the work of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)..
New colleague joins EENA
We are happy to welcome a new colleague, Maxime Mialon, who is joining the EENA team for an internship!
Webinars
2G & 3G Sunset in Sweden – Effects on access to 112
10 February 2026 at 14:30 CET
Sweden’s Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) will share lessons learned from the ongoing 2G/3G sunset. Present the measures it has taken to ensure reliable access to the emergency number 112, including actions that may result in certain non-compliant mobile phones being blocked from mobile networks. The webinar will explain the drivers behind these measures, the compliance expectations for emergency calling, and the practical impact on operators, manufacturers and end users.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Using Multimedia in Emergency Calls: Lessons from Iceland
17 February 2026 at 14:30 CET
With emerging technologies the emergency PSAPs around the world are getting more and more information such as pictures and videos. This webinar introduces how Iceland has used pictures to get better situational awareness during emergencies. It is no longer a question of “if” but why and how to use multimedia with the focus on the effects that multimedia can have on telecommunicators.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss our previous webinars?
You can watch our webinar on disability-accessible emergency communications in Ukraine on our website.
You can watch our webinar on the Digital Networks Act on our Members’ Area.
Projects
Take part in the SUNSHINE Training Seminars
After the successful training in November 2025 in Tallinn, three more SUNSHINE Training Seminars on EU Space Data and Services for Disaster Resilience will be delivered, providing civil protection professionals and UCPM stakeholders multiple opportunities to participate:
- 3–6 March 2026 | Strasbourg, France
- 5–8 May 2026 | Timișoara, Romania
- 23–26 June 2026 | Zagreb, Croatia
The seminars will focus on how EU Space-based data and services – such as the ones from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service, Space Situational Awareness, and GOVSATCOM – can be effectively leveraged before, during, and after emergencies and disaster situations.
By attending the seminar, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in one of the SUNSHINE Simulation Exercises in Brussels this March and October, and to become an ambassador for the integration, uptake, and promotion of EU Space solutions within your organisation and home country.
Express your interest via this form!
Emergency communications around the world
French sectors warn 2G and 3G shutdown could disrupt critical emergency devices
Thirteen professional federations in France are urging telecom regulator Arcep to better oversee the planned shutdown of 2G and 3G networks, warning of serious consequences for essential and emergency-related equipment. They argue that operators have set timelines without sufficient consultation, leaving too little time to migrate millions of connected devices to newer networks. Critical systems cited include eCall emergency buttons in cars, lift alarm systems, teleassistance devices for older people, and security monitoring equipment. Arcep data shows 5.6 million devices were still using 2G/3G networks in late 2025. While the government supports the shutdown, industries are calling for stronger coordination to avoid risks to public safety.
Read here EENA’s statement on the issue.
Apple issues a software update to resolve emergency call problem in Australia
Apple has released a software update to fix an issue affecting emergency calls in Australia on certain older iPhone models. The update applies specifically to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, all originally launched in 2017. The problem emerged after the rollout of iOS 16.7.13, which was reported to interfere with emergency calling in some situations. Australian mobile network operators introduced temporary measures, including carrier settings updates, while Apple worked on a longer-term solution. The new software release aims to ensure reliable access to emergency services and maintain essential device functions.
Moldova prepares automatic eCall emergency alerts via 112 from March 2026
Moldova is advancing the implementation of the EU-funded Next Generation eCall system, which enables vehicles to automatically contact 112 in the event of a serious road accident. Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said the 112 Service will be technically ready to receive eCall signals from March 2026, while telecom operators are expected to ensure full call transmission by June 2026. Full rollout is expected by mid-2027.
Thailand tests nationwide mobile emergency alert system using cell broadcast
Thailand has carried out a nationwide test of its mobile emergency alert system using cell broadcast technology, aiming to strengthen disaster response and public safety. The test, conducted simultaneously across all 76 provinces and Bangkok, triggered a “National Alert” signal intended for large-scale emergencies. Authorities reported that most users received the bilingual Thai-English warning within 10 seconds. The system is designed to cover 14 types of disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, windstorms, fires, air pollution and public security incidents. Officials stressed that public understanding and cooperation remain essential for effective emergency warnings.
Bengaluru’s 112 helpline sees rising use and major technology upgrades
The 112 emergency helpline in Bengaluru, India, has recorded significant growth, receiving over 522,000 calls in 2025, marking a sharp increase compared to 2024. Police said the surge in reporting coincided with a 9% reduction in cases, reflecting stronger public confidence and improved responsiveness. Over the past four years, the service has undergone major upgrades, including integration with the Safe City Project, body and dashboard cameras for patrol units, SMS-based tracking of approaching vehicles, emergency call boxes, and a shift to SIP technology to reduce dropped calls. Further improvements, such as multilingual support and wider agency integration, are planned.
Delhi to introduce unified 112 emergency number
Delhi will move to a single emergency response system with 112 becoming the unified helpline number for all emergencies, replacing multiple existing numbers, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced. Implemented under ERSS 2.0, the initiative aims to reduce confusion and improve coordination by routing all emergency calls, app alerts, panic button activations, SMS and web-based distress signals to one Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). From there, police, fire, ambulance and disaster management services can be alerted simultaneously. The system will also include automatic location identification and real-time monitoring tools to help dispatch the nearest responders more quickly. Rollout will take place in phases, supported by staff training, mock drills and public awareness campaigns.
MEPs call for public warning to be prioritised in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism
MEPs broadly welcomed the European Commission’s proposed update of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) during a discussion in the European Parliament on 27 January. The proposal aims to strengthen EU disaster response through increased funding, closer cooperation and improved best practices. Several MEPs stressed, however, that Europe must go further, particularly on public warning, the resilience of emergency communications during crises and telecoms outages, and stronger support for cross-border emergency response. The debate reflects growing political momentum for stronger EU action to improve preparedness and safety across Europe.
Scotland: Study identifies barriers delaying bystander CPR during emergency calls
New research analysing emergency calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service has highlighted key reasons why bystanders may delay starting CPR during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Prompt CPR is the most important factor in survival, potentially increasing chances up to fourfold, while every minute without CPR reduces survival by around 10%. Reviewing 200 calls, researchers found delays were most often linked to communication difficulties (48%), high emotional distress (45.5%), and physical challenges such as moving or positioning the patient (38.5%). The team plans to work with call handlers to develop more targeted real-time support, strengthening dispatcher-assisted CPR and helping more callers act quickly.