Summary

Recommendation ITU-T Q.3060 describes the functional elements, services and signalling architecture of emergency telecommunication networks and provides an example of the use of IEEE technologies that can be rapidly deployed in a country affected by a natural disaster.

In the last decade, climate change and natural disasters have affected countries all over the globe. The consequences, such as tropical storms, floods and droughts, directly affect social and various industrial sectors, including information and communication technologies (ICTs).

In this regard, the deployment of a special emergency telecommunication network becomes a first and important aid for civilians afflicted by natural disasters. The rapid deployment of such networks is fundamental.

Currently, the emergency communications systems that are used in natural disasters are based on existing technologies, such as two-way radios, mobile cellular communications and space‑based networks (e.g., Iridium). However, in the forthcoming fifth generation (5G) and Internet of things (IoT) era, there are some technologies that may play an important role in helping to provide a wide range of ICT services from simple voice or video communication up to telemetry exchange. All these services, when rapidly deployed in an affected country, may sufficiently change the situation and help to save the lives of victims of natural disasters.

It may be noted that there are many other wireless technologies that may also be deployed to meet such requirements.