Geneva, 13-16 July 2009

Fostering worldwide interoperability

Global Standards Collaboration (GSC) 14

DOCUMENT #: GSC14-XXXX-nn

FOR: PRESENTATION

SOURCE: ITU

AGENDA ITEM: PLEN 6.2

CONTACT(S): R. Scholl, K. Hughes

ITU activities for Emergency Communications and Disaster Relief

Kevin Hughes, BRkevin.hughes@itu.int Reinhard Scholl, TSB

reinhard.scholl@itu.int International Telecommunication Union

2Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Highlights: Radiocommunication (1)

Regulatory role Standardization role

Prediction and Detection: Meteorological services (Met-Aids, Met-Sat); Earth Exploration Satellite ServiceAlerting: Amateur service; Broadcasting services (terrestrial and satellite); Fixed services (terrestrial and satellite); Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime)Damage assessment and Relief: Amateur service; Broadcasting services (terrestrial and satellite); Fixed services (terrestrial and satellite); Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime); Earth Exploration Satellite Service

3Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Highlights: Radiocommunication (2)

Databases relating to safety of life and rescue operations

Available frequencies for use in emergency situations and guidelines on the management of radiocommunications (Res 647 (WRC-07), Res ITU-R 53)Maritime mobile Access and retrieval System (MARS)

Regionally Harmonized Frequency Bands for Public Protection and Disaster Relief

preferred frequency bands listed in Res 646 (WRC-03)Study Group activities

Spectrum management guidelines Recommendations, Reports, Handbooks providing technical basis for development and operation of the radiocommunication services used in the various phases of emergency and disaster situations

4Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Highlights: Telecom standards

Add-ons to existing system specifications:

Early warning delivery (X.1303/CAP)

System override for emergency message broadcast: audio, audiovisual, text

Extension of short text messaging to fixed telephones (circuit-switched and IP/soft-phones)

Definition of methods to address multiple languages and communication for persons with disabilities, in particular for IP-based systems

Definition of object identifiers for X.1303/CAP messages (OASIS / WMO / ITU) New

Definition of pre-allocated “channel” number for 3G mobile cell broadcast use (Ongoing)

5Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Strategic Direction (1)

Stimulate ITU-R Study Groups to develop technical bases for telecommunication and radio systems employed in the prediction, detection, alerting and relief phases, including guidelines relating to the management of radiocommunications in such situations

ITU/BR response to Resolution 647 (WRC-07) by establishing a database of available frequencies/ frequency bands for use in emergency situations, based on information provided by administrations (see BR Circular Letters 281 and 283)

6Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Strategic Direction (2)

New standards should build (=add-on) on existing infrastructure, not require a total revamp

For new systems (e.g. NGN): emergency response functionality built-in from the start

Coordination with all stakeholdersPCP-TDR (Partnership Coordination Panel)

Governments, industry, IGOs, NGOs

Assistance to other groupsE.g.: assistance for spectrum management in disaster relief deployments by UN OCHA / WGET

Participation in eventsWMO Common Alerting Protocol (CAP, X.1303) Implementation Workshop (Geneva, 22-23 June 2009).

7Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Challenges

Consistently involve all stakeholders, in particular users of emergency communications

Diversified community, not only traditional telecom expertsStandards work is contribution-drivenSensitive area (as it involves sovereignty, security, etc)

Respect national sovereignty when developing specifications

National regulatory frameworks

Encourage wider deployment of standards

Education, awareness and preparednessNot a purely technical field.

8Geneva, 13-16 July 2009 Fostering worldwide interoperability

Next Steps/Actions

Continue updating of database of frequencies/ frequency bands based on membership responses to BR Circular Letters re: Res. 647 (WRC-07)Ensure ITU Study Groups take due account of emergency communications and disaster relief in their activities and initiate/enhance activities where necessaryEncourage all relevant stake-holders to recognize the vital role that telecommunications and radio systems play in disaster management Encourage collaboration between ITU and other international organizations' involve with disaster relief