Moda Collaborates with the National Fire Agency and Telecommunication Industries and Conducts Public Protection and Disaster Relief to Ensure Priority Communication
The Ministry of Digital Affairs (moda), in cooperation with National Fire Agency (NFA) of the Ministry of the Interior and the three major telecommunications companies, executed its inaugural drill for the "Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)" communication system on October 20th. This simulation aimed to demonstrate that in case of an emergency, emergency command units could prioritize the use of the continuously operational telecommunications infrastructure provided by service providers via multi-core network shared public networks.
The moda elaborated that PPDR is a national public safety and disaster relief communication system within a broadband communication framework. Currently, both the United States and South Korea have implemented such a mechanism, and several other countries globally are either considering or planning similar systems. The Taiwanese iteration of PPDR, designed by the moda, involves the construction of a government-led core network, integration with base stations of the three major telecommunications companies, and the allocation of mobile network bandwidth to disaster relief units during major emergencies. Special SIM cards are issued to disaster relief units to ensure dedicated priority communication.
As part of the moda's collaboration with the NFA, a small-scale PPDR drill was conducted in Zhushan Township, Nantou County, during the "112th Disaster Prevention and Rescue Technology Achievement Exhibition." In this exercise, the moda established the PPDR communication system, while the NFA coordinated the 7th Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade of the Taichung City Fire Department and the Volunteer Communication Unit of the Tainan City Fire Department. The drill simulated disaster relief using new technologies like "telemedicine" and "drones" in the event of a significant earthquake disaster.
The moda emphasized that through collaboration with telecommunications providers and setting of base station systems, disaster relief units can utilize any undamaged base station from any service provider in the event of network congestion or disruption. This ensures communication prioritization, stability, and resilience, ultimately saving crucial time in rescue efforts.
To further enhance the PPDR communication system, the moda has planned to continue the PPDR communication system construction project from 2024 to 2025. Base station integration will take place in selected locations within local counties and cities, and local disaster relief units will receive education and training. By assessing the feasibility of multiple agencies using the PPDR network, the moda will present a report on the deployment mechanism and a cost-effectiveness analysis of the mobile communication PPDR network. This will bolster the digital resilience of communication networks during major disasters, guaranteeing priority communication for disaster relief units and enhance disaster response capabilities."