The Commission's proposals on telecommunications markets presented in September 2016 strive to put the EU at the forefront of internet connectivity by 2025. Next generation data communication – 5G, the future wireless and mobile communications -, will require additional radio frequencies, a timely access to spectrum and targeted improvements in the spectrum management. This way, 5G will offer a multitude of new opportunities for citizens and businesses with services crossing national frontiers. That is why the Commission considers that 5G roll-out should be a European matter.
112 and warning systems are key to Public Safety, therefore some of the new rules at a EU level will also apply to emergency services and public warning systems.
- The Code provides that caller location information can be retrieved from both the network and, where available, from the handset itself. In order to accommodate developments in use of new technologies the Code clarifies that the concept of emergency communications includes not only voice but also text, video and other types of communications. This also helps to improve the accessibility for end-users with disabilities to reach emergency services.
- Recent terrorist attacks in Europe have highlighted the need for more efficient public warning systems in the Member States. In order to increase the protection of citizens in the Union, the Code therefore includes a provision to establish a system that transmits public warnings to citizens on their mobile phones.
Such a public warning system will enable citizens and travellers to be informed of imminent or developing threats in the area where they are located.
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