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, BR
kevin.hughes@itu.int
Reinhard Scholl, TSB
reinhard.scholl@itu.int
International Telecommunication Union
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
Highlights: Radiocommunication (1)
Prediction and Detection:
Meteorological services (Met-Aids, Met-Sat);
Earth Exploration Satellite Service
Alerting: 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
Regulatory role
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Standardization role
Fostering worldwide interoperability
2
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
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
3
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)
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
4
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)
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
5
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 stakeholders
PCP-TDR (Partnership Coordination Panel)
Governments, industry, IGOs, NGOs
Assistance to other groups
E.g.: assistance for spectrum management in disaster
relief deployments by UN OCHA / WGET
Participation in events
WMO Common Alerting Protocol (CAP, X.1303)
Implementation Workshop (Geneva, 22-23 June 2009).
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
6
Challenges
Consistently involve all stakeholders, in particular users of
emergency communications
Diversified community, not only traditional telecom
experts
Standards work is contribution-driven
Sensitive area (as it involves sovereignty, security, etc)
Respect national sovereignty when developing specifications
National regulatory frameworks
Encourage wider deployment of standards
Education, awareness and preparedness
Not a purely technical field.
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
7
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
necessary
Encourage 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
Geneva, 13-16 July 2009
Fostering worldwide interoperability
8