The second solution involves the combined telecoms infrastructure in Australia. In case of an emergency, there should be a “gateway” facility connecting the networks, allowing them to take over traffic from one another. In the case of mobile networks, I have advocated for this for more than 20 years: this solution is called roaming.
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After government pressure, an announcement was finally made last week that roaming via mobile networks is now possible in emergencies, such as bushfires or floods. It’s technically feasible, and we should explore its use in other emergency scenarios, such as the one we’ve experienced on Wednesday. So, for example, if you’re an Optus customer and the Optus network is down, your phone finds the Telstra network.
The reason for the delay in implementing this in Australia is the resistance from telco companies. They view the size of their networks as a competitive advantage and question why they should allow others to use their network.
The problem is that these networks aren’t merely commercial operations; they are vital infrastructure for our society and economy. Protecting the national interest in the face of serious network failures is paramount. Implementing such solutions requires the government’s commitment and the regulatory authority’s influence.
However, there is also a responsibility for users, both organisations and individuals, to acknowledge that such disruptions will happen, and they should assess their vulnerability. For example, if a company’s sales or financial systems shut down, or its transport systems don’t work, or its emergency operations fail, it must consider the need for its own solutions.
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For individuals, it is important to be prepared. Are people familiar with communication methods such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facetime? In today’s emergency, these systems still function. Mobile phones are increasingly software-based, using e-SIMs so rather than receiving a physical card, you receive a code that replaces this. This allows you to switch between operators – in this case, from Optus to another operator. You still of course pay for your subscription and, if you want to use more than one provider, you have to have a separate subscription to that provider. Currently, this is used by people who wish to separate their private and business accounts or people travelling in regional areas and overseas.
Solutions need to encompass all these aspects. Networks must be more resilient, and users must explore their options. One thing is certain: more outages will occur, so be prepared.
Paul Budde is a leading telecommunications management and business consultant.