EENA Update 06/05/2026
EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about public warning testing in Lithuania, a cyber attack in Canada, Nigeria and South Africa moving towards implementing 112 as a single number, and much more!
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EENA News
EENA flags potential emergency call risks for EU travellers ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
EU travellers to the 2026 World Cup may be unable to reach emergency services in the US. EENA has sent a letter to European Commissioner Glenn Micallef highlighting a potential safety issue affecting EU citizens travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Due to network compatibility issues following the phase-out of 2G and 3G infrastructure, some European mobile phones may be unable to connect to US emergency services. This could mean that EU travellers are unable to reach 911 in an emergency while abroad.
We have called on the European Commission to engage with US authorities to clarify the situation and ensure that European travellers are appropriately informed. Travellers should be aware of this issue before departure.
The EENA 2026 Conference materials are now available
We are happy to share that the materials from EENA Conference & Exhibition 2026 are now available! You can now explore the presentations and relive your favourite moments from Riga with the conference photos.
Check the conference materials here
New blog post: Operational challenges of large-scale emergency call systems
Our latest blog post explores how Artificial Intelligence can strengthen — not replace — human decision-making in emergency communications. Using Turkey’s nationwide 112 system as a case study, the article highlights key challenges such as increasing call volumes, high cognitive load on call-takers, and the limits of traditional routing models. It also shows how AI can support operators in real time, helping to prioritise calls, provide context, and improve decision-making without removing the human from the process. As emergency systems move towards NG112, technology should support people, not replace them.
2G/3G Shutdown
Guidance issued as 2G and 3G shutdown may affect emergency access in Iceland
Iceland is in the final stages of switching off its 2G and 3G networks, with the transition expected to be largely completed by May 2026. While most modern phones will continue to work, older devices may lose connectivity, including the ability to make voice and emergency calls to 112. Authorities are urging users to check their devices and take action if needed, ensuring phones support 4G/5G and VoLTE. A dedicated test number (1280) has been introduced to verify compatibility. The guidance is particularly relevant for travellers and users with older or non-compatible devices, highlighting the importance of preparedness during network transitions.
Read more here (Electronic Communication Office of Iceland)
Learn more about the issues with 2G/3G shutdown (EENA)..
Webinars
Emergency Communications as critical infrastructure: Resilience, cybersecurity and EU law explained
19 May 2026 at 14:30 CEST
This webinar will present EENA’s latest report on the resilience and cybersecurity of emergency communications across Europe. It will explore how Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) fit within the EU’s CER and NIS2 frameworks, highlight key obligations and national approaches, and examine gaps such as the classification of PSAPs. The session will also look at NATO’s perspective, civil-military cooperation, and practical challenges and best practices for strengthening resilience.
Register here for the webinar.
Implementing Android Emergency Live Video for PSAPs
26 May 2026 at 14:30 CEST
This technical workshop from Google provides a practical guide for integrating Emergency Live Video using Android Emergency Location Service. The webinar is aimed at technical teams in the EENA community, including vendors, engineers, developers, and telecom partners. Discover how to enhance emergency response by receiving live video from Android devices. The webinar will cover the end-to-end flow:
- How Android Emergency Location Service activates and sends precise location and Additional Emergency Information (AEI), including the live_video_token, directly to your endpoint via HTTPS.
- Step-by-step instructions for setting up your backend to handle these requests.
- Triggering the live video session on the user’s device through a specially formatted SMS containing the token.
- Understanding the secure, user-controlled video experience.
- Troubleshooting tips and best practices to test everything end to end.
This webinar is sponsored by Google.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Register here for the webinar.
Standardisation
Survey: How ETSI standards are used in practice
ETSI is running a survey to better understand how its standards are applied in real-world settings and which publication formats work best for users. The results will feed into an ongoing review of ETSI’s IT tools and processes, aiming to improve the usability and impact of its standards.
Emergency communications around the world
Canada faced a major cyberattack provoking the disruption of emergency communications
Toronto has faced Canada’s first known SMS blaster operation, during which three people drove around downtown Toronto with fake mobile network devices hidden in their cars. These SMS blasters acted like false mobile phone towers, forcing nearby phones to connect to them instead of real networks. This caused 13 million network disruptions and affected tens of thousands of devices. Some phones could not access normal mobile service or even emergency calls to 911. The devices sent fake text messages pretending to be from trusted organisations like banks or government services. This type of scam, called “smishing”, tricks people into clicking links that steal personal details or money. Deputy Chief Robert Johnson warned that the main concern was both financial fraud and public safety, as blocking access to emergency services creates serious risks. Police said the threat ended after the arrests, but people should still stay alert for scam texts.
Read more hear (Tom’s Hardware)
Lithuania tested its public warning system through sirens and mobile cell broadcast
On Thursday, 30 May, emergency warning systems were tested nationwide in Lithuania. The siren alerts were coupled with instructions to listen to public radio and TV to get emergency recommendations. A cell broadcast was also sent to mobile phones and the LT72 app. Warning sirens currently cover 69% of the population; the system is expected to cover 75% by 2029. The failure rate in 2025 was of 2,6%. Installing new sirens and adding cell broadcast reinforces a multichannel approach to public warning, fostering both the redundancy and the resilience of the system.
India is testing cell broadcast before implementation
India is testing a cell broadcast emergency alert system to improve the speed and reach of disaster warnings nationwide. Trials are being run by the Department of Telecommunications and the National Disaster Management Authority, with users receiving test alerts in multiple languages. The system builds on the integrated alert system SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, which has already sent over 134 billion SMS alerts in 19 languages. The new addition uses cell broadcast technology, which sends messages instantly to all phones in a specific area, avoiding delays caused by network congestion. It follows the International Telecommunication Union’s Common Alerting Protocol standard. Once fully launched, it is expected to deliver faster, localised warnings for events like earthquakes or floods, strengthening public safety in a large and diverse country.
Read more here (ET Edge Insights)
Plan for a TV-based public warning system rejected in Thailand
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has rejected a proposal to deliver emergency disaster alerts via internet TV set-top boxes. The plan, put forward by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), aimed to complement mobile alerts by displaying warning messages and images on IPTV devices. Under the proposal, three telecom operators were to receive funding to implement the system. However, the NBTC concluded that the approach would only benefit IPTV users, excluding those using satellite, cable and digital TV platforms. The regulator emphasised that any public warning solution should ensure broad and equitable coverage across all television services.
Nigeria adopts 112 as its single national emergency number
Nigeria has approved the adoption of 112 as its unified national emergency number, aiming to improve coordination and speed up responses to emergencies. The decision seeks to replace fragmented systems with a single, nationwide framework covering incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies and natural disasters. Authorities highlighted that the main challenge is not the absence of an emergency number, but the need for better coordination, standardisation and public awareness. A multi-agency committee will oversee implementation, with the goal of ensuring faster, more reliable emergency response across all levels of government.
South Africa proposing 112 as a single emergency number
South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies wants to close several emergency hotlines and keep 112 as the only national number. The proposal asks the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to phase out the SAPS police line 10111, the medical emergency line 10177, and the fire, rescue and ambulance line 107. At present, mobile network operators route 112 calls through their own centres, often using automatic voice response systems. The 10111 police hotline, launched in 2007, has faced serious problems, with poor staffing and a lack of upgrades causing major failures. In January, the system was down for more than six days.
Read more here (Sunday Independent)
Ukraine is launching a new 112 project with nationwide coverage
Ukraine is developing a nationwide 112 emergency system, supported by a €40 million loan from the European Investment Bank. The project will connect over 100 emergency units on a single platform, improving coordination between police, ambulance and fire services. While 112 already exists in parts of the country, the aim is to make it fully unified and operational nationwide. The reform is part of efforts to strengthen public safety and align with European standards, including the introduction of priority levels for the most critical emergencies.
US cities are increasingly using drones as first responders
Drone as First Responder (DFR) systems are being deployed to support emergency response by sending drones to incidents immediately after a 911 call, often arriving before police or other services. Equipped with live video, they help responders quickly assess situations and improve decision-making. Deployed across cities, these systems can reduce response times, improve safety and optimise resource use. Real-world examples show their impact, including faster incident handling and cases resolved without deploying officers. New drone technologies are also extending capabilities, with longer flight times and the ability to carry medical supplies, further enhancing emergency response efficiency.
Read more here (National League of Cities)
Indian Police implements a multi-lingual AI system in its 112 emergency helpline
Bengaluru City Police has launched a new AI system in its 112 emergency helpline to remove language barriers and improve response times. The system, called VANKI, allows people to speak in their own language while AI instantly translates the call for operators. This helps the police, fire and medical teams respond more quickly and clearly. Bengaluru has many migrants and international visitors, so language barriers can delay emergency assistance. The new system supports over 10 languages, including Bengali, Gujarati and Arabic, with more to be added later.
Read more here (The Morning Voice)
China is speeding up work on a “space-ground network” by building a huge satellite internet system
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the plan is to launch more than 10,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites to build a global high-speed broadband network. It would improve internet access in remote areas, at sea, in aviation, for emergency disaster response, and for the Internet of Things (IoT). Experts say this will be a key part of the future 6G infrastructure and will greatly strengthen emergency communications during natural disasters and major incidents. China has already made significant progress in key technologies, such as phased-array antennas and satellite laser links. In April, it completed its first relay transmission using both inter-satellite laser links and satellite-ground microwave links.
From our community
Call for nominations: ISCRAM Board of Directors
The ISCRAM Association is inviting nominations for its Board of Directors, with open roles including Treasurer, Publications and Academic Standards Chair, and Membership and Member Services Chair.
The association is encouraging engaged members to contribute to the direction and development of the ISCRAM community.