Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to join you for the official launch of our new guide for regulators, which brings guidance for national emergency roaming frameworks to a new level of sophistication.
We all know that telecommunication networks are essential to modern life, yet they are often highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, wildfires and even storms.
When networks are damaged, the loss of connectivity can severely hinder the response to the very emergency that has caused damage, and limits access to critical information.
We know that national emergency roaming frameworks can provide a practical solution to this challenge.
The ability to allow users to connect automatically to any available mobile network when their own service is unavailable, helps to ensure continuity of access to emergency services, early warning alerts, and essential communications for both the public and first responders.
The guide we are launching today is designed to support regulatory authorities in turning this concept into practice.
It sets out practical steps for designing and implementing emergency roaming frameworks, including regulatory considerations, operational arrangements, and coordination with mobile network operators and other key stakeholders.
This work is closely aligned with ongoing efforts in many countries to develop and implement National Emergency Telecommunications Plans (NETPs).
Emergency roaming is a key operational element of these plans, helping ensure national preparedness strategies translate into real connectivity resilience during crisis situations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
From a regulatory standpoint, successful implementation depends on clear frameworks, predefined activation procedures, and strong coordination between regulators, operators and emergency management authorities.
The guide offers practical insights to support this process. It is also important to highlight the broader public interest dimension.
Ensuring that all citizens can access emergency communications, regardless of their network provider, is fundamental to ensuring safety and inclusion, and to effective disaster preparedness and response.
Looking ahead, the priority is implementation. This guide is intended to help countries move from policy design to operational readiness, drawing on international experience and good practice.
The ITU remains committed to supporting Member States in strengthening telecommunications resilience, including through NETP development and related policy tools such as emergency roaming frameworks.
This guide is a timely and practical resource to help ensure communications remain available when they are needed most.
Connectivity in times of crisis is about saving lives.
With this, I encourage all stakeholders to make full use of this resource in their national efforts.
Thank you!
