Mobile Communication in Emergency Necati UĞURLU Head of Department Spectrum Monitoring Department December,2012

content Vitality of Mobile Communication in Emergency / Difficulties Legal Framework Preparation Beforehand Case: Van Earthquake

Vitality of Mobile Communication in Emergency / Difficulties In emergency cases such as natural disasters and catastrophes, electronic communication means (especially mobile communication) gain vital importance. –Access to emergency services and local authorities –Communication needs of authorities –People struggling to hear from their lovers However, the difficulties that occur in such cases endanger the sustainability of electronic communications. –Destructions of BTSs –Power cuts –Backhaul problems (interruptions in leased-lines, R/Ls, etc ) –Capacity problems due to abnormal rise in service demand –…

Legal Framework Provisions in primary and secondary legislations and in concession agreements briefly require operators to take necessary measures to meet the communication needs of public authorities, users and subscribers in emergency cases such as health, fire, disaster and security. –Electronic Communications Law –Authorization Ordinance –Concession Agreements However, achieving to provide a good service in such cases may require beyond what is stated in those provisions: –To be prepared beforehand, –A wise coordination of BTK and intense efforts of operators during and after the emergency.

Preperation Beforehand Turkey has a top-level mobile coverage corresponding to %9.. of the population. Besides, under the coordination of BTK, operators have employed mobile BTSs with roaming ability and satellite connection, in 25 regions. –They are being kept ready for emergency cases. –They do not need any terrestrial transmission to operate. Operators have also mobile BTSs with terrestrial transmission.

Case: Van Earthquake Van earthquake on 23/10/2011 tested Turkey’s mobile communications performance in emergency very seriously. Despite of severe destructions in the region, mobile communications services were provided with very little interruptions/problems. Those problems lasted in a relatively short period of time just after the event, were limited to some areas and recovered soon thanks to measures taken beforehand, efforts of operators and coordination of BTK.

Case: Van Earthquake In 3 hours time after the earthquake, 6 mobile BTSs with satellite transmission and 5 mobile BTSs with terrestrial transmission were moved to the region. The locations of many survivors under the ruins who called or texted to emergency services were determined and delivered to rescue teams by mobile operators which contributed to savings many lives. According to Ordinance on Emergency Services, in metropolitan areas, operators are obliged to define the location of users calling emergency services with a sensitivity of less than 2 km 2. (This sensitivity will drop to 1 km 2 in 5 years)

Thanks Necati UĞURLU Head of Department Spectrum Monitoring Department