Roles of NBTC in Disaster Relief

1. ITU Workshop on “Disaster Relief Systems, Network Resiliency and Recovery” (Phuket, Thailand, 20 May 2013) Roles of NBTC in Disaster Relief Atiwat Aimdilokwong Division Director, NBTC Atiwat.a@nbtc.go.th

2. NBTC’s 5-year Master Plan • Radio Frequency Master Plan • Telecommunications Master Plan • Broadcasting Master Plan

3. PPDR in NBTC’s Telecom Master Plan • One of the objectives of NBTC’s Master Plan is to Manage telecoms resources efficiently by • 1.) encouraging efficient infrastructures sharing to avoid duplicated investment as well as promoting use of ‘Right of Way’ and • 2.) preparing for emergency and disaster situation with the help of spectrum utilisation for warning system.

4. Preparation for PPDR on the telecom side of NBTC • Technological readiness • Allocate PPDR Frequencies for Government/Public • Telecom Operator to install auxiliary telecom system with backup power supply for backup and monitor/maintain the system readiness for operation • Minimum QoS during emergency/disaster • Monitor and enforcement of the above

5. Law making • Revisit the rules in order to better facilitate the emergency response institutions/groups in the area of expediting the process of issuing import license for communication equipment for PPDR use, reducing import licencse fees, license exempt for radio stations, waived license fee

6. Revise the rules regarding amateur radio in order to help promote amateur radio to wide acceptance and provide training • Rule Making regarding Priority line and Priority number and to make sure the it is in sufficient number

7. Give priority line/number access to people in the affected area first while the relatives can call in to ask the call center. Other people are advised to stop utilizing the telecom network and are asked to use other means to access information such as radio and television • Consumer protection during emergency such as toll free call during emergency or reduced fee

8. Example of available Telecom networks • Government agencies’ network - trunked radio, fixed and mobile satellite network, fiber optics, • for example Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, Ministry of Interior, Department of Provincial Administration, Signal Department Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Police, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

9. Public and private companies’ networks - fixed, mobile, satellite • CAT, TRUE, TT&T, DTAC, AIS ,ACES SAT PHONE, SHIN SATELLITE, TOT • Private Networks – Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, Volunteer Radio Association, Emergency Rescue Volunteer Groups

10. Example of Previous Disasters in Thailand Tsunami (2004) (5400 casualties) Gay Typhoon (1989) (602 casualties) Mud Slide (…) (>100 casualties) Flood (…, 2010) (almost 200 casualties) Other events – terrorist attacks, unrests

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12. DDPM –NBTC • DDPM NBTC • NBTC Regional Office • Telcom Operator • Adhoc PPDR Coordination Team • RAST

13. NBTC’s PPDR Initiatives Brainstorming between various parties with telecommunication/radio networks for PPDR readiness plan Communicating such plan to ensure good understanding and better cooperation related parties/groups Provide training of Amateur and CB Radio use for effective use

14. Form Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and develop its operating procedures Set up an PPDR preparedness committee to issue alerts and warnings to residents via SMS and public information channels

15. Assign shared PPDR frequencies and special priority numbers for Government/Public use Rulemaking for telecom operator to submit PPDR readiness action plan on procedure, backup equipment details and how to use/interconnect its networks with government’s networks.

16. Create Action Plans for various groups – before, during, after disaster • Action Plan for NBTC PPDR communication center • Action Plan for NBTC regional offices • Action Plan for Telecom operator • Action Plan for RAST • Action Plan for Public volunteer groups

17. PPDR Frequencies for Government Only

18. PPDR Frequencies for Government and Public

19. PPDR initiative on the broadcasting side of NBTC Law making in Broadcasting Sector: to impose mandatory broadcasting of disaster alerts, with sanctions for broadcasters who don’t comply. The incident prompting this action was in April last year when NBTC contacted all TV channels to broadcast tsunami warning but only few channels comply

20. KPIs • External Perspective • People awareness and satisfaction of PPDR operations • Access to communication networks during incidents • Emergency Backup Equipment • Coordination between players

21. Internal Perspective • Knowledge, experience and effectiveness of personnel • Procedures and action plans • Rule/Law making • Adoption of organizational culture

22. Innovation Perspective • Improvement of IT/communication infrastructure for PPDR • Promote education/research in PPDR operation • Financial Perspective • Budget plan for PPDR • Effectiveness of the budget plan • Transparency of budget usage

23. Conclusions and Recommendations • THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION