Transcript emergency communications tools sms usage in emergency cases

Emergency Telecommunications Plan
Regulatory Challenges
IEEE Workshop
Lebanese American University
12 November 2011
Sahar Cheaito
Spectrum Policy Expert
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Lebanon
Content
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Why an Emergency Telecommunications Plan?
The Correlation between Emergency and Telecommunications
Types of Disasters
Phases of Disasters
Telecommunications Modes and Technological Convergence
The Role of Telecommunications services and means in case of Disasters
The Impacts of Disasters on Telecommunications
Emergency Telecommunications Plan requirement
Situational Analysis
International Approaches
The Need for a National Emergency Plan (Issues and Concerns)
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Why an Emergency Telecommunications Plan?
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Why an Emergency Telecommunications Plan?
Emergency event risks and crisis could happen anywhere and at anytime
Disaster prevention, mitigation, and
management are essentials
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The Correlation between Emergency and
Telecommunications
Telecommunications means and services are vital for emergency
response
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The Correlation between Emergency and
Telecommunications
Telecommunications networks might be
disrupted by the event itself
Equipment
Shelter
Antennas
PSTN Switch
Coaxial
cables
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The Correlation between Emergency and
Telecommunications
• While telecommunications systems, networks and services play a vital
role in emergency events
• Telecommunications networks might be disrupted by the event itself,
overloaded due to increased demand for services, or even get attacked
and infiltrated
• Telecommunications networks need to have their own emergency plan in
order to be robust in emergency cases and able to handle traffic
effectively in hard situations.
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Types of Disasters
Natural Disasters
Tsunami
Contractible
Diseases
Earthquakes
Storms
Fires
Floods
Various disasters of this category are predictable in advance like floods (due to heavy rains). The
meteorological department can predict rains, and warn the people accordingly
In this case, mostly communication on terrestrial lines fails while radio and satellite based
system works
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Types of Disasters
Man Made Disasters
weather changes
Wars
Confrontations
Violence,
Civil
Disorders
Bombing
Car
accident
The management of such disaster is done by the governmental and operating agencies, police
and rescue workers
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Types of Disasters
Technological Man Made Disasters
• Electronic War in the E-World
• Identity Theft and Virus attacks
• Interception of signals and spoofing
• Radio frequency interference
• Unauthorized use of system resources
• Interception and interference on Radio
networks
Operators and service providers should maintain network security and integrity.
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Phases of Disasters
The management and preparation of a Telecommunications network
for emergency should be divided into three phases;
Prediction
Prevention
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Preparedness
Action in case of
disasters
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Relief
Repair of
consequences
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Technological Convergence
Many telecommunication services could be used during a disaster with their
growth until nowadays
Telex,
Telemetry,
Facsimile
FM, TV
Broadband
Telephony,
Paging,
Cellular
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Data,
Packet Switch
Data,
Electronic
mail, Internet
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Telecommunications Modes
voice
Video
Data
• The most preferred mode in a critical situation
• The most used for public warning and preparedness
• Immune against any overload ( robust technology)
• Increases resistance against the physical impact of disasters
• Interactive communications (voice +video)
Internet
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• Using web based directories to communicate with who can provide
assistance
• Tracking news and weather information from a variety of providers
(government, academic, commercial)
• Find up-to-date geopolitical info, geographical maps, travel
warnings,…
• Accessing medical database to gather info
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The Role of Telecommunications services
and means in case of Disasters
Telecommunications services and technologies play a vital role before, during, and
after a disaster ;
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Track approaching hazards
Alert authorities and warn affected populations
Coordinate relief operations
Assess damages and Mobilizing support for reconstruction
Telecommunications networks are divided into Public and private networks.
Public Networks
• TV, FM and Satellite Broadcasting, and Mobile Emergency Broadcasting
• Public Switch Telephone networks
• Terrestrial Mobile services
• Internet and social networks
• Amateur Radio Services
• Private Mobile Radio
• Broadband Satellite services (VSAT broadband satellite services)
• Mobile satellite services
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The Role of Telecommunications services
and means in case of Disasters
Telecommunications networks are divided into Public and private networks.
• Emergency Telecommunications Services in Public Networks:
Broadcasting
TV and FM Broadcasting usually
used for public warning to be
aware and take necessary
actions before the disaster
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Amateur Services
Radio Amateurs volunteer
and help in humanitarian
assistance
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PMR
• May be used temporarily as a back up
to carry information from/to users
who are not part of the mission-critical
user group
• Could inter-work through gateways or
through Emergency Control Centers
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The Role of Telecommunications services
and means in case of Disasters
Disaster
Emergency
Telecommunication
Services
Jamming, Blocking
or Network
congestion
Affected Networks
PSTN
Mobile
Internet
Mobile Satellite
Switches
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The Role of Telecommunications services
and means in case of Disasters
Private Networks
Maritime Services
• The Maritime Radio Service has applications in disaster communications
• It uses the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• This service is only use to ships and Marine Rescue centers for the purpose of safety of life at sea
Aeronautical
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Local civil aviation authorities should be asked for the allocation of a channel for such traffic
Respective information should be included in the agreement with the air carrier and in the briefings
to the crew
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The Role of Telecommunications services in case of disasters
Alternative services
Alternative Telecommunications systems and services could that be used by public and NGO,
could also be used by governmental entities with different technologies and method of use
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Mobile Satellite telephones
VSAT service in disaster area
PMR (Public Mobile Radio) Services
– Commercial PMR
– Emergency use PMR Services ( ambulance, fire stations,/fire mans, Red Cross)
Van containing Mobile equipment such as GSM, etc. along with transmission system and switching
equipment
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Use of Alternative services and systems
Telecommunications networks might be
disrupted by the event itself
Equipment
Shelter
Antennas
PSTN Switch
Coaxial
cables
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The Impacts of Disasters on
Telecommunications
Disasters have impact on Telecommunications supply and demand by creating additional temporary needs at
a time of reduced availability of the overload networks.
The effects of disaster on Telecommunications infrastructure are multifarious;
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The buildings may collapsed
Bridges could be expurgated
Roads could be blocked
loss of sites facilities
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Fire breaks out
Power supply gets mess up
Interruption of power supply, and hardware failure
• Telephone exchanges get overloaded
• Towers get damaged
• Cables get splashed away
Loss of infrastructure connectivity
The operators have to make best use of available Telecommunications networks, and have an alternative
interconnections network.
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Emergency Telecommunications Plan
Requirement
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Prior planning and testing for emergency telecommunications systems, to increase the robustness of
networks and the effective use of telecommunications means during disasters
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Follow public safety norms and standards
• Install towers and equipment at adequate heights in areas prone to high waves and floods
• and sites with Distribute essential equipment to not be installed in one building.
• Equip towers, equipment adequate fire detection and extinguishing systems
• should start applying the anti earthquake Standards on all buildings, towers and equipment
sites
• Cables should be buried underground in ducts to reduce their vulnerability
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Redundancy Requirement to prevent total network failure due to a single point of failure
– Insure redundant transmissions links between networks elements and switches
– Insure alternative telecommunications means for different communications systems;
• Use wired systems (optical fibers and coaxial cables) as alternatives for wireless
telecommunications systems failure and vice versa
• Alternative and secure International gateways and International Paths
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Emergency Telecommunications Plan Requirement
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Backup Requirements
– Backups of network elements, batteries spares and fuel can prevent total failures from minor
equipment damage. Ensure availability of spares and fuel storage in an accessible and secure
area on site for emergency
– Reserve an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with sufficient External Batteries to ensure
service is not interrupted to all key equipment in the event of a main power supply failure
– Consider alternate means of power like Solar power systems
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Trigger Prevention Measures
– Develop clear congestion management process
– Develop an effective management plan to ensure connectivity between public entities and
users of telecommunications during emergencies (Red cross, civil defense and police states)
– Monitor through an effective network management system which should cover fault,
configuration, performance, security and traffic management
– Re-route traffic to different routes through the Call Gaping and Traffic management and
Policing systems
– Plan for extra capacity on networks in order to cater for high traffic generated during
emergencies
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Emergency Telecommunications Plan Requirement
The Spectrum management role in public safety
The spectrum management role is to optimize spectrum use and ensure an effective use of
spectrum for the emergency telecommunications
Spectrum Harmonization
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The global harmonization of spectrum for public safety is very important, especially
during response and relief operations,
it enable the exchange of telecom equipment between neighbouring countries during
and after a disaster.
It is essential to ensure harmonization with neighbouring countries in spectrum used for
emergency over different bands
UHF Band allocations and public safety
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With digital dividend and ASO, some administrations were allocating a part of the UHF
band for public safety and emergency use.
Broadband public safety plan is acquired in some countries and it is be very effective
during response and relief cases.
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Emergency Telecommunications
New trends and Technologies
Some administrations and organizations are benefiting from the new telecommunications trends and
technology innovations in implementing and developing an emergency telecommunications plans
Two new trends that are adopted in emergency telecommunications planning ; Forward caller location,
and Cell Broadcasting
Forward caller location (Location based Services)
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To ensure the receiving of voice calls and messages to the emergency centres, involved
governmental entities, NGOs, etc..
Cell Broadcasting
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An efficient mobile technology used to broadcast messages to all mobile handsets and similar
devices within a designated geographical area
It offers the capability of reaching network subscribers on time and without using extra network
capacity.
Cheaper than SMS, and
includes location based capabilities features that is required during emergencies
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Emergency Telecommunications
Cell Broadcasting and SMS
Cell Broadcasting
SMS
An efficient mobile technology
Uses extensive network resources
Broadcast messages to all mobile handsets and
devices within a designated geographical area
Not able to target a limited geographical area
Offers the capability of reaching network
subscribers on time without using extra
network capacity
SMS is a store & forward (non‐real‐time) best
effort service, can be delayed significantly
is vulnerable to failure due to traffic overload
Includes location based capabilities
features that is required during
emergencies
SMS cannot provide the location accuracy
because the mobile is on the control
channel for a short period of time
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Emergency Telecommunications
New trends and Technologies (Cell Broadcasting)
Cell Broadcasting use
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Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) is warning and alert system based on cell broadcasting and
the Public Warning System used by the US government for officials to send alert messages to mobile
subscribers within a specific area.
The European Public Warning System (EU-ALERT) using the Cell Broadcast Service
VAS operators should be required to stop all SMS bulk messages during emergencies as this might cause
additional congestion and blockage of the network. They can use cell broadcast instead, it is even
cheaper, they can specify to which area they are delivering messages and benefit from this criteria
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International Approaches
Governments, especially with massive natural and man-made disasters, recognize the role of
a national and integrated emergency telecommunications plan in reducing the disastrous
effect of disasters.
• USA approach toward PPDR Telecom Plan
• European Approach
• ITU
• Other Administrations and Regulatory Authorities Approaches
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International Approaches
USA approach toward PPDR Telecom Plan
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Since September 11 2001, an emergency telecommunications plan becomes a first priority,
because of the failures of wireless communications systems at that time
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The Congress considered a radio frequency spectrum allocation and funding program for a
public safety broadband network (PSBN), and in In May 2011 The 112th Congress assigned
the block D of radio frequency spectrum licenses, for federal support of broadband
networks for emergency communications where the cost of constructing new networks is
estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars
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After years of debate, a majority in the public safety community has agreed to implement
common technologies using Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled networks and the wireless
technology Long Term Evolution (LTE) to build the nationwide PSBN
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An urgent, timely decisions by policy makers to build new infrastructure for emergency
communications and spectrum allocation for public safety radios
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International Approaches
USA approach toward PPDR Telecom Plan
Challenges
• Commercial deployment of wireless networks using LTE standards (that might also
support
public safety use) are outside the planning efforts of public safety and
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government officials
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Projects that received Broadband Technology Opportunities (BTOP) grants to build
broadband infrastructure to link wireless networks and upgrade 911 systems
Could fail to leverage BTOP-funded infrastructure
• Even that the IP-enabled networks are considered essential to the introduction of
NG9-1-1 and that the IP-enabled technologies are faster and smarter, capable of
analyzing and directing communications as they move through networks;
• the broadband network with the next generation IP technologies requires
significant changes in operations and long-standing agency traditions, major
investments in infrastructure and radios, and the development of enabling
technologies
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International Approaches
European Approach
• An Emergency Telecommunication (EMTEL) concept is addressing all aspects related to the
provisioning of telecommunications services (private and public services) In emergency
situations, covers the telecommunications needs of society's dedicated resources for
ensuring public safety;
• In September 2002, an EMTEL ad-hoc group was set up under the Operational Co-ordination
Group (OCG) to look at standardization requirements in the emergency telecommunications,
to interface with the European Commission and to ensure the coordination of work
between ETSI technical bodies.
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In February 2005 f this group became a Special Committee (SC) EMTEL group who is able to
produce Technical Reports (TRs) or Technical Specifications (TSs).
• Under EMTEL Standardization ETSI help the development of dedicated equipment that
allow priority access, enable interoperability and interfacing between services and systems
to allow authorities and public safety organizations to communicate across services and
borders
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International Approaches
European Approach
• The EMTEL Recommendations in the area of emergency telecommunications that have
been already agreed by the European Union;
• A new provision to forward caller location information related to 112 emergency
calls to the respective authorities.
• Some of the SC EMTEL publications;
• TR 102 444: Analysis of the Short Message Service (SMS) and Cell Broadcast Service
• TR 102 476: Emergency calls and VoIP
• ETSI is currently defining the user requirements for the four main areas of emergency
communications:
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Communication from citizens to authorities/organizations (emergency calls)
Communication between authorities/organizations (public safety comms)
Communication from authorities/organizations to citizens (warning systems)
Communication amongst citizens during emergencies
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International Approaches
ITU
The ITU has recognized national & global use of radio communication in case of disaster and
urged the administrations to take all practical steps to facilitate the rapid deployment and
effective use of Telecommunications resources for disaster mitigation and disaster relief
operations, the main ITU recommendations;
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National disaster preparedness plan
Cooperation between organizations
Trainings & trial implementation
Reporting
Reduce regulatory barriers during disaster & mobilizing amateur radio facilities,
Apply Tampere Convention
Some of the important ITU publications in this area;
• ITU-R F.1105: “Transportable Fixed Radiocommunication Equipment for Relief Operation”
deals with various types of transportable wireless equipment and their broad
characteristics
• Handbook on disaster communication published by the ITU-D that deals with this subject
in a comprehensive manner with specific needs for developing countries
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International Approaches
ITU
Tampere Convention;
• It is a treaty signed on 18 June 1998, which simplifies the use of life saving
Telecommunications equipment;
• it covers both the installation and operation of reliable and flexible Telecommunications
services
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In this convention the regulatory barriers that impede the use of Telecommunications
resources for disasters are waived
Regulatory barriers;
• include licensing requirements to use allocated frequencies,
• restrictions on the import of Telecommunications equipment, and
• limitations on the movement of the humanitarian teams
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International Approaches
Other Administrations and Regulatory Authorities Approaches
Most of administrations are following the ITU recommendations and/or US and European international
standards in implementing a new emergency telecommunications plan
The UAE Approach
The UAE published the National Telecommunications Emergency Plan NEP-T as a part of the national
emergency plan (NCEMA) through the NCTE (National committee for Telecoms Emergency) the TRA UAE
role in this case is to;
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Provide Telecom information and advices to NCEMA
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Coordinate the activities of the licensees in dealing with the emergency
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Maintain and set up the NCTE Team
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Provide representatives for NCEMA once needed
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Links NEPT to business continuity capabilities
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Situational Analysis
No national platform that involve the telecommunications sector in a Public Protection and Disaster Relief
plan in Lebanon;
• The Higher Recovery Committee that established in 1977 is mostly involved in disaster recovery more
than response, it is not involved in preparedness
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A draft law were prepared to establish a national disaster management Authority in 2003
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Adoption for the Hyogo Framework for Action "HFA" 2005-2015 started in 2009
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last year in 2011 The Lebanese Government created a National Committee for the implementation of
the Hyogo Framework
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Recently on October 21 2011 , the UNISDR Chief, Margareta Wahlstrom, after meetings with the
Prime Minister, the Army Chief of Staff , and some of the Lebanese Ministers published that Lebanon
will establish the National Disaster Response Plan by next month
There is no immersion for the telecommunications sector in planning for the National
Disaster Response Plan !!!
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Situational Analysis
Lebanon statistics in case of natural disasters
Lebanon statistics in case of natural disasters As per the Prevention
Website
Natural Disasters from 1980 – 2010
Data related to human and economic losses from disasters that have occurred between
1980 and 2010
No of events
6
No of people killed
46
Average killed per year
1
No of people affected
123,090
Average affected per year
3,971
Economic Damage (US$ X 1,000)
165,000
Economic Damage per year (US$ X
1,000)
5,323
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Situational Analysis
Lebanese areas that are vulnerable to Tsunami
In March 2011 , The National Council for Scientific Research estimates the actual risks
prevailing in the region, stretching from Istanbul in Turkey and down to the Dead Sea, and
will certainly hopped on to Lebanon by sea and include the risks of earthquake ion the
ground and a potential tsunami risk with Waves height reaching 5.7 meters
Lebanese areas that are
vulnerable to Tsunami
Lebanon should benefits from the Tsunami warning system in Cyprus, to reduce the Tsunami
risks’ effects
The alerts could be sent via radio stations, automatic message boards, mobile phones and
pagers.
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Situational Analysis
Telecom networks performance during disasters (War 2006 )
Based on a study issued by the Lebanese GSM Operator (MTC) after Israeli-Lebanese conflict
in July 2006 to assess the network operations and performance during the conflict days, as
well to evaluate damages occurred due to bombing
• Mobile phones calls jumped on MTC Network by almost 40% immediately with the
occurrence of conflicts
• Call volumes fell almost 60% in the South Lebanon
• Some Networks were damaged due to bombing which led to a sharp increase in call
congestion,
• Call Volumes from mobiles to the emergency services jumped in several days,
A dramatic increase in SMS subscriptions to SMS news services for the duration of the war
• A physical damage for the fixed line, TV and radio networks
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Situational Analysis
Telecom networks performance during 2006 War
Analysis results extracted from the MTC Report
Call Volumes during the weeks of conflict
SMS Volumes due to the War
2000
SMS +
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Situational Analysis
Telecom networks performance during 2006 War
Analysis results extracted from the MTC Report
Telecom services and means used to receive info during conflicts
Through SAT
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The Need for a National Emergency Plan
(Issues and Concerns)
Lebanon had suffered from Manmade disasters as well as natural disasters, its political and
geographical position makes it prone to a range of big and small scale threats
The risks of the natural and manmade disasters is intensified with the prompt
implementations of new telecommunications services and the rapid development of new
technologies especially with the;
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Unprofessional planning of telecommunications networks
Disorganized and unsafe housing,
Disregarding of Public Safety norms in networks planning
Lack of coordination between Service Providers and networks’ engineering
Lessons learned from previous disasters’ cases
– Networks congestions and block of calls
– Blockage of national and international communications means
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Regulatory Challenges
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No national and centralized emergency telecommunications plan set by the involved
entities
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Emergency response agencies are not integrated and do not have a harmonizing and
coordinating framework for telecommunications emergency plan
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it is difficult to invest in building and maintaining appropriate levels of operability,
interoperability, and continuity of communications.
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Many entities/involved parties often do not consider communications planning to be
a priority and therefore do not allocate resources for participation in planning
activities.
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Thank You !
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