Intersec has announced its new membership in the ITU-D community. The International Telecommunication Union's Development Sector (ITU-D) serves as a pivotal platform for its Members and Partners to engage in collaborative efforts, aiming to leverage emergency telecommunications to positively impact the lives of people worldwide and accelerate the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
To delve deeper into Intersec's involvement with the ITU community, we conducted an interview with Charlotte Thomas, Product Director for our public safety suite, shedding light on the reasons behind this commitment.
Why has Intersec joined ITU?
Intersec, as a software provider specializing in mission-critical communications based on telecom metadata, recognizes the need for a forward-thinking approach aligned with the United Nations’ "Early Warning for All" (EW4All) initiative, officially launched by the UN Secretary-General in November 2022 during the COP27 meeting. Early warning and public alerting technologies empower every individual across the globe to receive timely alerts in the face of danger, utilizing telecommunication networks and mobile phones.
With two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector and profound expertise in location intelligence, Intersec has been instrumental in guiding governments and telecommunications companies in deploying public warning systems and situational awareness solutions to mitigate human losses and physical damages.
How has Intersec been assisting governmental agencies with emergency communications?
In line with Article 110 of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), public authorities are mandated to deploy public warning systems using telecommunications networks. Intersec has been chosen by several European governments to implement cell broadcast and location-based SMS technologies for sending geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices via telecom networks. We advocate a multichannel approach, combining legacy, digital, and emerging communication channels including phones, social media, websites, and satellites, to instantly reach nearly 100% of the population. Intersec proudly holds the position of being a leader in public warning systems within the European Union, covering over 30% of the population across multiple countries, including France, Germany, Croatia, and Luxembourg. We also actively participate as members of EENA to stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements and support CAP protocols.
Do you operate beyond the EU borders?
Indeed, our reach extends far beyond the borders of the European Union. Intersec has maintained a significant presence in African nations and has fostered strong partnerships with mobile network operators in the Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and Latin America regions. Currently, we are working with governments and telecom operators to facilitate the swift deployment of efficient early warning systems, aligning with the Early Warnings For All Initiative. This initiative calls for global coverage by an early warning system by the end of 2027. Our collaborations with telecom operators in these regions streamline the integration process and expedite deployment.
How will Intersec's membership translate into concrete contributions?
As members of ITU, we are committed to making substantive contributions, particularly in the domains of affordable connectivity and emergency telecommunications. Our focus is on mitigating risks and minimizing the consequences of extreme weather events, earthquakes, tsunamis, pandemics, and other human-made hazards that increasingly challenge nations and communities. We plan to actively engage in working groups and various events to share our telecom expertise in environmental monitoring, data analysis, early warning dissemination, and ensuring the seamless flow of critical information in the aftermath of disasters. ITU's pivotal role in disaster risk reduction and management is something we deeply value.
For more information, you can explore the following resources:
.svg){kind=small}
Intersec joins ITU-D: global emergency telecommunications for a resilient future" />
