Overview

Oftel recognises that telecommunications forms an important part of the United Kingdom’s ‘Critical National Infrastructure’, that supports the governmental, commercial and social life of the nation. As the UK’s regulator for telecommunications networks and services, Oftel has assisted government departments responsible for the handling of emergency situations, by working with industry to formulate a National Emergency Plan for this sector. This plan is now complete and was launched on 20^th May 2003.

The Telecommunications Emergency Planning Forum

Major Communications Providers have co-operated with Oftel in the creation of the emergency plan. These providers include fixed and mobile operators as well as representatives from the Internet. Government departments have also taken an active role.

All those companies and government representatives meet in a regular forum to discuss issues relating to emergency planning and to develop and maintain the common approach specified in the plan.

The Telecommunications National Emergency Plan

The Plan itself comprises:

• A list of key contacts in Communications Providers and government;
• Details of the Emergency Planning Forum;
• The agreed process for monitoring and managing emergencies;
• A description of the varying kinds of emergency scenario that could occur;
• Encourages best practice in maintaining network security and integrity;
• Refers to a separate Memorandum of Understanding between Communications Providers on mutual assistance in emergencies;
• In the absence of any specific guidance from government, defines what should be considered as priority services and priority customer groups.

Interdependency with other sectors

All sectors of the economy depend heavily on communications for their own business continuity. Oftel is working closely with government departments to determine the essential needs of these sectors, in particular the financial services sector. Oftel is also ensuring that the essential needs of the telecommunications industry during emergencies are recognised by government departments.

Resilience of the National Telecommunications Infrastructure

In addition to the creation of a Telecommunications National Emergency Plan, Oftel requires that providers of Fixed Telephone services take appropriate measures to ensure that their networks perform reliably in the face of internal and external threats. These measures are termed the ‘essential requirements’. Oftel has issued guidance on what it expects of providers and this can be found at the following url:

The Future

The Emergency Planning Forum will continue to develop the Telecommunications National Emergency Plan and integrate it with the emergency plans of other UK sectors. It is also intended to exercise the Plan.

Enquiries about the Emergency Plan should be directed to:-

David Heath
Technical Adviser

email or telephone: 020 7634 8818