Will emergency numbers be available in the event of a power outage? Nothing less is certain. Emergency numbers such as 12, 13, 15 will not work. There remains the 112 presented by the government as a solution to all problems. In most cases, this number should remain available, but everything is not so simple.
In the event of a power outage, the load shedding measure set by Enedis will also de-energize the telecom operators’ relay antennas. Most of them, which are installed particularly on the roofs of buildings when they are in the city, do not have a battery. They are not autonomous. In other words, the mobile network does not work without electricity operators. No more than a landline. Whether you’re at home or at home, equipment needs electricity to run. Without it, neither an Internet box nor a landline signal.
So what about 112? This European emergency number, which is the same for all EU countries, enjoys special treatment. Any operator, whether you are a customer or not, transfers a phone call from a mobile phone. This is the principle of roaming, which is applied in case of emergencies, with the agreement of all operators. As when the subscriber is located in a country other than his country and uses the local operator’s network.
Alternative solutions will be found
In case of power outages, the government and operators work on a map so that in the event of a load shedding, all the antennas in one area are not deprived of power at the same time. In dense areas, large urban centers have several antennas, so 112 should remain available, provided that the cuts do not affect too large a perimeter. It is different in rural areas. “Operators were encouraged to consolidate their network. Several antennas are installed on the same tower. What creates a problem for network resiliency?“, explains Michel Kombot, General Manager of the French Telecommunications Federation. These masts are usually equipped with generators. But not all, and their autonomy is limited. In this case, 112 will no longer be available.
Blame the mayors to implement alternative solutions. Satellite devices can be deployed on a temporary basis to call 112 in targeted areas affected by power outages. Firefighters and gendarmes can also be mobilized to relay emergencies. Everything is still on the table.
Source: Le Figaro
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.