Lisbon, June 10, 2025 (Lusa) - The National Communications Authority (Anacom), which submitted the report on the impact of the April blackout, recommends an "improvement of the public warning system" and the "diversification of 112 call routing".

In a report submitted by the regulator to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, Anacom indicated that "during the blackout, access to the 112 emergency number was severely restricted on fixed networks, but remained operational in situations where at least one mobile network was available", thus ensuring that calls were routed to the Public Security Service Point (PASP).

According to the regulator, "the prolonged power failure caused a cascade effect with a direct impact on the operation of mobile and fixed electronic communications networks", which affected both "access to emergency services and communications between emergency services, authorities and civil protection agents".

This situation led the Government, on 1 May, to order a technical-strategic study for the urgent replacement of the Integrated Emergency and Security Network System of Portugal (SIRESP), it recalled.

In its recommendations, Anacom highlighted the "assessment of the autonomy of emergency and backup power systems (batteries and generators) and the definition of minimum autonomy times for the various elements of the networks", also pointing to the "use of energy systems based on renewable sources", with the aim of "increasing the autonomy of cell sites in terms of backup power, reducing the need to install additional batteries".

The regulator also indicated the availability of "alternative means of communication for those involved and responsible for crisis management".

Anacom also considers it important to "adopt mechanisms for accessing mobile network services in emergencies ", recommending "a study for the adoption of a restricted set of SIM/eSIM cards to be used by authorities, civil protection forces and critical operators" and the direct connection of all mobile operators to the Public Security Service Points (PASP), as well as the "diversification of 112 call routing routes".

ALN/ADB // ADB.

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