Routine and emergency communication

During the period immediately following a disaster, conventional mobile communication systems may be overwhelmed because of the temporary need for additional capacity. Usually, the extra capacity can be obtained — however, it would be ideal if one communication system could meet both normal and extraordinary needs.

Developing such a system is the goal of the EU-funded project 'Public protection and disaster relief – Transformation center' (PPDR-TC). The consortium aims to specify an interoperable, secure and resilient voice and data communications architecture, tailored to emergency services. The 10-member group is investigating optimal merger of commercial broadband infrastructure with emergency systems. The undertaking runs from April 2013 to September 2015.

Initial activities included specifying user requirements and identifying gaps in current technologies. The team developed and documented reference usage scenarios, Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) services, and application requirements. The project obtained approvals and notification from relevant authorities in all participating PPDR countries. A database of PPDR specifications was to have been made publicly available by February 2014 and populated with data by March 2014.

The group also identified, analysed and classified PPDR reference services. The researchers conducted preliminary assessment of its validation scenarios, and project tools were specified; this work has been detailed in two internal documents.

Team members also compiled a business model for Europe, summarising the way PPDR systems are procured.

When complete, PPDR-TC will have created a system that improves PPDR communications efficiency, interoperability and security, through the use of new technologies. The project will also provide input to the revision of current European communications standards.