EU plans cross-border 5G and satellite network for emergency services

The EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS), unveiled on Sept. 30, is designed to address a longstanding problem in Europe: national emergency communications networks are often technically incompatible and can stop working when responders cross a border.

The proposed system would connect national critical communications networks across the EU and Schengen area, allowing emergency services to communicate and exchange data in real time during fires, floods, terrorist attacks, drone threats and other crises.

“When crisis strikes, our first responders must be able to communicate instantly across agencies, across borders, across Europe,” EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said.

From radio to broadband

Emergency and security services across Europe still rely heavily on dedicated radio systems, including TETRA and similar technologies.

EU countries are gradually moving toward mission-critical broadband systems based on mobile technology such as 5G. Unlike traditional radio, broadband connections can carry large amounts of data, allowing responders to transmit live video, messages, maps and geolocation data.

The Commission wants these national broadband systems to be interoperable rather than creating a single centrally controlled European network.

Member states would retain control of their national communications infrastructure, while a common EU-level system would allow the networks to connect across borders.

The need for such interoperability has become apparent during real emergencies.

Brunner cited a major wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve on the Belgian-German border, where emergency crews lost communication with colleagues immediately after crossing the border.

In another case, a shooting occurred in the Netherlands only about 200 meters (656 feet) from Belgium, but an emergency center in Maastricht was unable to directly alert its counterpart in Liège because their national communications systems were not connected.

Central hub, cybersecurity and satellites

The proposed EUCCS architecture includes European-level infrastructure to coordinate communication between national systems and a monitoring center to identify cybersecurity risks and support member states.

Satellite communications would provide additional coverage in areas without terrestrial mobile networks and serve as a backup if ground infrastructure is disrupted, including during blackouts or other major emergencies.

The Commission is preparing to integrate EU satellite capabilities into the system, with IRIS² expected to play a major role.

Its impact assessment says satellite connectivity will be a “key component” of EUCCS and that IRIS² is being developed to provide backup and additional coverage where terrestrial communications are unavailable.

A planned 2027 trial is expected to test EU satellite connectivity as a backup when terrestrial systems are disrupted and in areas without mobile coverage.

The Commission says the system will rely on critical components built by European companies as part of a broader effort to strengthen the EU’s technological sovereignty and reduce security risks from high-risk suppliers.

European companies Airbus, Leonardo, Frequentis and Teltronic have already participated in trials demonstrating the technical feasibility of EUCCS.

Military interoperability

The EUCCS legislation primarily targets civilian emergency and law enforcement services, including police, border guards, coast guards, customs authorities, firefighters, medical responders and civil protection organizations.

Member states would nevertheless have the option of connecting other users, including their armed forces and national security authorities.

The Commission’s impact assessment notes that European militaries are already major users of critical communications. Some countries share networks between armed forces and civilian emergency services, while others operate separate systems.

The EU initiative itself is based on the bloc’s legal powers covering civilian emergency and law enforcement communications. However, the Commission is also working with the European Defence Agency, EU Military Staff and NATO on interoperability between EUCCS and military communications systems.

Ukraine war highlights need for resilient communications

The Commission explicitly cites Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as one of the crises that demonstrated the importance of improving secure communications across different sectors in Europe.

The system is intended to remain operational during large-scale emergencies and hybrid threats, including situations in which conventional communications infrastructure is disrupted.

IRIS² is particularly important to that resilience. The EU satellite constellation is intended to provide secure government communications and reduce dependence on non-EU providers.

Ukraine has separately expressed interest in using EU government satellite communications and IRIS² as potential alternatives or supplements to Starlink.

The Commission said in 2025 that it would continue discussions with Kyiv about access to those European satellite capabilities.

The EUCCS proposal must now be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

The Commission plans to begin gradually launching the system in 2030, with member states connecting during a transition period.