EENA Update 18/03/2026
EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about public warning tests in Cyprus and Germany, Sweden reducing repeat calls to 112, and much more!
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EENA News
Detailed programme for EENA Conference & Exhibition 2026 published!
We are pleased to announce that the detailed programme for the EENA 2026 Conference & Exhibition has been released.
This year’s conference will focus on strengthening preparedness and resilience in emergency communications, addressing challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty, natural disasters, and the phase-out of 2G and 3G networks. Sessions will cover key topics including public warning systems, NG112, AI in PSAPs, data integration, and upcoming EU legislation. A dedicated focus will also be placed on supporting PSAP operations and call-takers, with practical insights on wellbeing, operational data, and handling complex emergency situations.
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!
Registration for the pre-conference workshop is 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.
Don’t forget to join the new Members’ Area!
The new EENA Members’ Area provides a single access point for member resources such as the PSAP report and other documents, with additional features coming later this year.
Already a member? Please register to activate your access and stay up to date with member communications and benefits. To remain an active EENA member, you need to activate your account.
Corporate members: Your organisation’s account should be set up by the main contact, who will then be able to add colleagues from the same organisation.
2G/3G Shutdown
Delaying the 2G/3G shutdown
As 2G and 3G networks are being phased out across Europe, growing evidence shows that the transition to 4G and 5G is not yet fully reliable for emergency communications. In some cases, people are already facing difficulties reaching emergency services, particularly while roaming.
Issues identified include failed emergency calls, degraded call quality, missing or unreliable caller location data, and the inability for emergency services to call back. These challenges are no longer theoretical and are already occurring in countries where legacy networks have been switched off. For these reasons, EENA is calling for a delay of the shutdown of 2G/3G networks until a solution to ensure that emergency calls on 4G and 5G networks effectively work is found.
Finland prepares for 2G network shutdown by 2029
Finland is preparing for the gradual shutdown of 2G (GSM) networks, as the obligation for telecom operators to maintain them will end by the end of 2029. After this, operators may begin switching off their 2G networks. Once 2G is phased out, calls, text messages, data services and emergency calls will no longer work on 2G-only devices, and backup systems relying on 2G will also be affected. The change will impact a wide range of users, as many devices, including older mobile phones, alarm systems, and industrial or monitoring equipment, still rely on 2G connectivity. Operators will be required to notify authorities at least one year in advance before shutting down their networks.
Read more here (Traficom, in Finnish)
Webinars
SUNSHINE Project: Leveraging EU Space data and services for disaster resilience
2 April 2026 at 14:30
Join this SUNSHINE webinar to discover how the EU-funded project, coordinated by the European Commission’s DG DEFIS, strengthens disaster resilience across Europe by promoting the use of EU Space Programme services (including Copernicus EMS, Galileo EWSS, SSA and GOVSATCOM) within civil protection frameworks. The session will introduce the SUNSHINE project scope, present the objectives and format of the Training Seminars, and provide an overview of upcoming training opportunities.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss our previous webinars?
View our latest webinar “Innovating for preparedness: Turning EU investment into real-world impact” on our Members’ Area!
Projects
Webinar: TOGETHER project on building societal resilience
The TOGETHER Project will host a webinar on 31 March (13:00–14:00 CEST) to present its approach to strengthening collaboration in disaster risk management and civil preparedness across Europe. The session will introduce the project’s framework, objectives and focus on connecting research, policy and operational practice. Open to all stakeholders, the webinar is organised through CMINE – The Crisis Management Innovation Network.
Register here for the webinar.
SUNSHINE EU Project held its second training seminar
From 3 to 6 March 2026, the EU-funded SUNSHINE project held its second training seminar in Strasbourg, bringing together civil protection practitioners and technical experts from across Europe. The four-day programme focused on enhancing the understanding of the EU Space Programme, combining lectures, workshops and simulation exercises. As the first EU-level training covering all major EU Space services within a single framework, the SUNSHINE Seminars aim to build capacity and support the integration of the EU Space components into national frameworks for disaster resilience.
Read more here (European Commission)
If you wish to participate in the next SUNSHINE Seminars, express your interest through this form.
Emergency communications around the world
Mixed results reported in the first nationwide emergency text alert in Cyprus
Cyprus’ first nationwide emergency SMS alert has raised concerns after many residents reported not receiving the message or receiving it in the wrong language. While the Interior Ministry stated that the system functioned normally, users on social media highlighted issues including non-delivery and language inconsistencies between Greek and English. The alert, which included precautionary self-protection advice, also directed users to a government website, a step some noted could be challenging for less digitally literate populations. The feedback has highlighted potential gaps in accessibility and reliability as the system is tested.
Germany tests public warning systems across four states
Germany tested public warning systems on 12 March in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. Test alerts were sent at 10:00 (Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate) and 11:00 (North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria). The tests included sirens, mobile alerts via cell broadcast, apps such as NINA and Katwarn, as well as messages on TV, radio and public displays. The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen warning systems following recent crises, including severe flooding and extreme weather events. Germany continues to expand and regularly test its alerting infrastructure, with the next nationwide Warning Day (Warntag) scheduled for 10 September 2026.
BBK, the German civil protection authority, will be presenting about Germany’s Public Warning system at the EENA 2026 Conference.
The Ukrainian 112 app now enables video calls and geolocation
Ukraine’s 112 mobile app has new emergency features. Users can now make video calls, including with a sign-language operator, helping people with hearing or speech impairments contact emergency services. The app also automatically sends the caller’s geolocation, allowing responders to find incidents faster if the caller cannot give an address. The service follows state cybersecurity standards. Since its launch in 2025, the app has had over 326,000 downloads and 9,200+ emergency requests.
Sweden tests new approach to reduce repeat non-urgent 112 calls
Sweden’s SOS Alarm and the region of Jönköping have introduced a new method to manage frequent callers to 112, helping reduce unnecessary emergency calls while improving patient care. A small group of individuals, often with underlying health conditions, were previously making multiple daily calls that did not always require emergency response. The new approach uses individual action plans and flags repeat callers, allowing operators to refer them to appropriate care services instead of dispatching ambulances. Emergency response is still activated if a situation changes. The pilot is expected to reduce unnecessary ambulance deployments and could be expanded nationwide.
Read more here (SVT, in Swedish)
The need to interpret 112 calls in various languages increases in Finland
In Finland, an increasing number of emergency calls now need translating. The top languages are Russian, Ukrainian, and Arabic. Last year, 1,844 calls needed an interpreter, up 25% from the year before. Calls were translated in 41 languages, compared to 37 previously. Russian calls led with 710, followed by Ukrainian (594) and Arabic (214). Since 2020, interpreted calls have jumped by 770%, but they’re still a small part of all emergency calls. The need for Ukrainian interpreters grew after 2022, linked to the war and more Ukrainians arriving in Finland. Finland has around 610,000 foreign-language speakers (11% of the population).
Nigeria wants to improve access to 112 and emergency services
The Nigerian Federal Government is working to improve emergency medical care across the country through the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). The aim is to provide better access to the national emergency number, 112, and raise public awareness of how to use it. NEMSAS provides free emergency care for poor and vulnerable people and helps states set up ambulance services. So far, 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory have emergency systems, with 21 fully working. However, there are still problems with emergency phone numbers. The government aims to ensure that the 112 emergency number functions reliably across all networks, as limited accessibility can put lives at risk.
Read more here (Nigerian Observer)
MEPs call for stronger rules on public warning in draft report on the UCPM
The two leading Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the proposed revision of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), Leire Pajín and Aurelijus Veryga, have published their draft report on the UCPM. This report, which sets out their initial position on the proposed Regulation, includes many improvements to the European Commission proposal, including clearer rules on the crisis coordination hub, enhanced rules on emergency health preparedness, and new rules to address disinformation during crises. The draft report also includes several new proposals to improve public warnings during crises, which EENA welcomes, including obligations for the European Commission to set guidelines on effective public warning, and for Member States to submit information on their public warning systems to the European Commission every two years. Following the publication of the draft report, other MEPs may now propose further amendments, following which a formal European Parliament position on the text will be adopted. In parallel to this, Member States are developing a common position on the Regulation in the Council. These two positions will form the basis of negotiations between the Parliament and Council to agree on the final content of the UCPM.
AI emergency notification apps send false alarms in the US
AI-powered emergency alert apps in the United States are facing scrutiny after several false alerts were sent to residents, including reports of fires and other incidents that did not occur. In one case, an app misinterpreted radio traffic from a training exercise as a real emergency, causing public concern. These platforms use AI to summarise public dispatch audio, but errors in interpretation or incomplete information can lead to misleading alerts. Authorities warn that such inaccuracies can create unnecessary panic and place additional pressure on emergency services. Experts and emergency responders stress the importance of verifying information through official sources, noting that while AI tools can improve access to information, they should not be relied upon as primary or fully accurate sources for emergency updates.
Read more here (Government Technology)
Miscommunication during maintenance causes emergency call outage in the US
A miscommunication between a telecom provider and a call centre led to a temporary outage of the 911 emergency system in a US county on 3 March. The disruption occurred during planned maintenance on a fibre-optic cable, which triggered a wider network outage affecting both mobile and phone services. As a result, callers received busy signals and were unable to reach emergency services. Although a backup system to reroute calls to a landline number was in place, it was not properly activated due to a change in the maintenance schedule that was not fully communicated to the dispatch centre. The incident temporarily affected 911 calls, text-to-911 and related services, raising concerns about the resilience and coordination of emergency communications.
Read more here (the Electric Gf)
Europe explores direct-to-device satellite connectivity
Direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity is gaining momentum in Europe as a way to complement mobile networks and improve resilience. Ongoing initiatives are exploring how satellite services can be integrated with existing 4G and 5G infrastructure, including testing of voice, messaging and data services. Early use cases also include emergency alerts during network outages, helping ensure connectivity when terrestrial networks are unavailable. These developments highlight the growing role of satellite technologies in strengthening emergency communications and coverage across Europe.
Read more here (Fierce Network)
Insights from the Swedish SOS Alarm’s 2025 report
SOS Alarm’s latest “112 in Sweden” report highlights strong performance and ongoing innovation in emergency communications. In 2025, the average answer time remained at 7.3 seconds, below the national target, with 16 seconds needed to identify the required help. The 112 app continues to grow, with 7 million downloads and 39,000 reported incidents, including new features such as maritime distress alerts and localised police notifications. In total, 3.8 million calls were received, with health-related incidents accounting for the largest share. The report also highlights progress in AI collaboration, research, and system development, including a new national emergency network (SWEN) and preparations for cell broadcast deployment in 2026. Increased public warning activity and large-scale crisis handling underline the importance of preparedness and coordination.