PSCE Response to Study on Use of Commercial Mobile Networks for High-Speed Broadband Communications

PSCE was recently invited to attend the presentation of the final report for the study “Use of Commercial Mobile Networks and Equipment for ‘Mission-Critical’ High-Speed Broadband Communications in Specific Sectors”. The study was commissioned by the DG Connect and has been carried out by a consortium led by SCF Associates Ltd. The study focuses on the potential role that commercial mobile networks could play in ensuring the provision of ‘mission-critical’ high-speed broadband communications in various sectors in Europe, including public safety, civil protection and disaster relief, intelligent emergency management systems and smart energy grids, and intelligent transport safety and transport management systems.

PSCE has sent a letter to the Director of SCF Associates Ltd, Mr. Simon Forge, disputing the claims made in the study. The study finds that “commercial MNO networks are a feasible option, but only if a specific regulatory structure is developed to assure their service level commitment”. Users have argued that, since the regulatory structure necessary to be able to use the commercial networks, as described in the study, is nearly impossible to create, the wording of this statement should be rephrased. PSCE has proposed to change the statement to state that the “overall conclusion is that it is NOT possible to use commercial networks for mission critical purposes, UNLESS five conditions are met”.

The PSCE Response is available here.