Emergency services in Europe could soon gain access to a dedicated, universal communications system under plans lodged by the European Commission (EC).

The proposed European Union (EU) Critical Communication System would tackle concerns about limitations in current set-ups and provide resilience when terrestrial services are not available.

Police, firefighters, medical and civil protection services would be able to communicate throughout the EU. The EC proposes this element cover voice, photos and video, and would be achieved by member states shifting from narrowband systems to broadband technologies including 5G.

EU satellites would provide back-up for the land-based equipment.

There may be call for a specific device to be produced to connect to the system: the EC stated real-time communication would be provided “through a single, secure” product.

The EC explained change is needed to help emergency services tackle natural disasters, the threats drones pose to critical infrastructure and terrorist attacks.

Emergency service staff would have priority access to communications “even when the mobile network is saturated or disrupted” and the EC committed to ensure security against “cyber and hybrid attacks” by employing “encryption and a strong protocol”.

Local
An EU Network Monitoring centre is planned, offering “a secure and resilient” fibre network to connect member states, with another facility to oversee the tracking and assessment of cyber threats.

It is envisaged all elements of the EU Critical Communication System would be provided by local companies.

The EC believes the set-up could also encourage investment in critical communications at national level.

It emphasised member states would retain “full control over national networks” and offered assurances they would play a role in governing the set-up.

If approved by the European Parliament and Council, the EC would seek to begin implementing the EU Critical Communication System in 2030.

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Verizon took its board to 10 members with the appointment of private equity guru Charles Phillips (pictured), a move framed as being about his financial leadership at a time when some shareholders are concerned about the operator’s management structure.

Phillips is co-founder and managing partner of technology company-focused private equity outfit Recognise Partners. Among past experiences are top-line roles with enterprise resource planning company Infor, Oracle and Morgan Stanley.

Verizon CEO Dan Schulman lauded Phillips’ “distinctive experience in technology, financial and regulatory environments”, comments hinting at why the operator was keen to have him on board.

The boss hopes Phillips will help Verizon to “innovate faster” by focusing on customer service.

Schulman also said he hopes the latest board member would help the operator “drive sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders”, something foremost in the minds of some shareholders which are keen for policies to be set governing Verizon’s management structure.

Pressure
The US National Legal and Policy Centre (NLPC) used Verizon’s AGM earlier this year to call for a current separation in the roles of CEO and chair to be formalised, with the latter post to be held by an independent director.

It expressed concern over Schulman’s competence, asserting he “presided over catastrophic value destruction” and politicised business decisions while CEO of PayPal.

The NLPC argued Verizon stock performed below par under previous CEO Hans Vestberg, who was concurrently chair “for most of his tenure”.

Verizon is keeping the posts separate for now, with Mark Bertolini chairing.

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