The Potential of Telecommunications in Disaster Relief: The Case of Peru

As a result of the earthquake that hit the central Peruvian coast on August 15, 2007, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) has adopted a series of measures for communications in affected areas.

These measures include the establishment of an Emergency Communications System, comprising:

1. The Special Emergency Communications Network (RECSE); 2. Prevention guidelines; 3. Emergency Action Guidelines; 4. Guidelines for Action in Affected Areas.

The RECSE is a national communications network whose purpose is to establish priority communications among authorities in emergencies. For its operation, fixed and mobile telephony service operators will reserve on a free and ongoing basis network capacity for the authorities’ communications which, in case of emergency, will be immediately activated. The MTC has responsibility for determining the network’s design. The draft supreme decree adopting the RECSE design will be published shortly for comment.

It should be mentioned that the RECSE is separate from the emergency and security networks to be established by the National Civil Defense Institute and the Ministry of Defense.

With regard to the prevention guidelines, operators are to implement and activate the 119 emergency number for voice messaging as an alternative to telephone communication. Mobile telephony operators are also to promote intensive use of text messaging.

With regard to the Emergency Action Guidelines, operators are to limit call time (no less than one or more than two minutes) for up to twelve (12) hours; calls to emergency numbers such as 105 (police), 116 (fire department), and 119 (emergency voice messaging) are free and, in addition, will not generate interconnection charges. Carriers will adopt the necessary measures so that in cases of technical impossibility (networks may have been affected by the emergency), networks will be supported by those of other operators, based on prior agreements.

With regard to the Guidelines for Action in Affected Areas, operators will provide service at no charge via wireless networks and portable base stations, using terminals or other communications-enabling media. Priority will be given to calls from users in affected areas. The MTC will also facilitate the issuing of spectrum use permits and modification of technical characteristics, for which operators will be able to regularize the situation subsequently.

Carlos R. Valdez Velásquez-López
General Director General of Regulation and
International Affairs of the Communications Viceministry
Ministry of Transport and Communications, Peru