emergency communications systems: nigeria

InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009

Emergency Communications Systems: Nigeria

Bashir Gwandu, PhD, MBA, CEng MIEE, MIEEEExecutive Commissioner (Engineering & Standards)

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC

[email protected]

ITU FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS OF WTSA-08 (Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009)


OutlineIntroductionTypical Emergency SituationsGuiding Sections of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.Nigeria’s PlanThe Need for Congestion free Dedicated NetworkTetra ExampleTypical Set-up of Emergency Communications FacilityConclusions

Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009 2


IntroductionThe purpose of National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) is to promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government agencies to continue to communicate in an event of natural and man made disasters and ensure, facilitate, and attain interoperable emergency communications nationwide.


InternationalTelecommunicationUnionAccra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009 4

Typical Emergency SituationsCrimes (Needing Police Attention)

Health (Accident & Emergencies)

Fire (Fire Services)

Natural and Man-made Disasters

Terrorism


Pipeline Explosion Ilado, May 12, 2006.


Typical Emergency Situations-2


What the Law Says

Section 107 (3) The Commission shall, in specific regard to emergency services, take immediate steps upon the commencement of this Act to –

(a) promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number which shall be designated as the universal safety and emergency assistance number for telephony services generally; and

(b) encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment throughout Nigeria of a seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-t o-end infrastructure for emergency communications needs.



Nigeria’s PlanNCC proposed to build Emergency Communications Network Centers in all the thirty-six Nigerian states and Federal Capital Abuja.

A central Node in each Center will have all the necessary switching and routing facilities for voice and data in an emergency situation to connect to the appropriate response agencies.



Network PlanEmergency Communications may require not only the Centers but also a robust dedicated telecommunication network.

Such Network must be free of congestions during peaceful events and also must not be susceptible to congestions during emergency.

An efficient, versatile, easy to maintain, and reliable Broadband wireless platform, with transmission backup (such as Satellite/Fiber/Microwave) that can also support other security services can be used, but, must be free of congestion under all situations including during emergency.

Going by what happened during London/Madrid bombings, Private commercial networks were congested within a short time. Such fit falls must be avoided.



Dedicated Network: Tetra

Trans-European Trunked Radio System (TETRA) architecture can be use for the emergency Communications.

TETRA is open digital trunk mobile radio standard developed by ETSI since 1995. The system supports applications such as secure speech / data transfer, fixed image, slow video, etc.



Tetra Network1TETRA is a high security technology that inherently includes encryption of voice, data, signaling and user identities. Two encryption mechanisms are defined: 1. Air interlace encryption, 2. End-to-end encryption.

TETRA provides very fast call set-up time (300 ms), that is crucial for the public safety and emergency services.

Included in TETRA is the advanced group and announcement call features.

Tetra provides for Direct Mode Operation for Communications between Terminals, beyond Network Coverage Area



Direct Mode Features of Tetra


Pipeline Explosion Ilado, May 12, 2006.


Connecting to other NetworksTETRA networks facilitate a range of connections to external networks. A TETRA network can be connected to, for example, public and private telephone networks, different types of data networks as well as large command and control systems. All these networks can be accessed from the mobile terminal.


Emergency Call Taking and Dispatching & Monitoring


Critical Emergency Control Rooms


Typical Equipment Rooms


ConclusionsHave Discussed

Typical Emergency SituationsWhat the Nigerian Law Says

Have highlighted the Nigeria’s Plan that is currently under-execution

Have discussed the Need for Congestion free Dedicated Network for Emergencies services

Discussed the example of Tetra Networks

Have Presented Practical Set-up of Emergency Communications Facility



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THE END

I Thank You [email protected]

emergency communications systems: nigeria

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