Draft:EUCCS - European Critical Communication System

European Critical Communication System (EUCCS)

The European Critical Communication System (EUCCS) is an ambitious European Union (EU) initiative aimed at creating a secure, interoperable, and resilient communication infrastructure for public safety and civil protection across Europe. The system is designed to enable seamless communication among emergency responders and public authorities, improving cross-border cooperation in crisis management.

Overview

EUCCS aims to address the growing need for secure, real-time communication in the face of increasing cross-border threats, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, hybrid warfare, and terrorism. By developing a pan-European system that integrates national communication networks, the EU hopes to ensure that emergency services can work together efficiently across borders, especially in crises that span multiple countries.

Policy Context

The development of EUCCS is a high priority within the EU’s security agenda, highlighted in several key policy documents:

• Political Guidelines (2024–2029): In her 2024 political guidelines, President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the creation of a European Critical Communication System to support civil protection and public security across borders. This initiative is a core part of her strategic vision for the EU during her second term as president of the European Commission.
• Mission Letter for Commissioner Magnus Brunner: In September 2024, Magnus Brunner, the new Commissioner for Home Affairs, was tasked with developing and deploying the EUCCS to support public authorities in charge of security and safety.
• "Safer Together" Report by Sauli Niinistö: In November 2024, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö presented a report to President von der Leyen, urging the EU to secure communication networks for public safety authorities. EUCCS is explicitly referenced as a tool to ensure the speed and efficiency of cross-border crisis responses.
• Mission Critical Expert Group: The European Commission's DG HOME has established a Mission Critical Expert Group, involving experts from EU and Schengen Member States, to assist in the preparation of EUCCS legislation and policy initiatives.

Key Projects and Milestones

EUCCS has been developed in stages through a series of research, technical, and policy initiatives, notably led by the Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Forum, in collaboration with national ministries responsible for public safety communications.

Key Projects

• BroadMap (2016–2017) : Project ID: 700380
  • Defined user requirements for future interoperable communication systems across Europe.
• BroadWay (2018–2023): Project ID: 786912
  • Demonstrated the feasibility of interoperable broadband services for public safety communications, including secure voice, data, and video across borders.
• EUCCS Preparation (BroadEU.Net, 2024–present): A multi-phase project funded by the European Commission’s Internal Security Fund (ISF) to prepare for the EUCCS rollout, focusing on technical integration and operational testing.
  • Stage 1: ENLETS 2.0 WP3 (2022–2024) – Project ID: 101055498
  • Stage 2: BroadEU.Net_Stg2 (2023–2025) – Project ID: 101145863
  • Stage 3: EUCCSPrep_Stg3 (2025–2026) – Project ID: 101228522

These stages are part of a pre-commercial phase that focuses on developing and trialing mission-critical services across multiple EU Member States.

Governance and Strategic Implementation

The European Commission, through DG HOME, plays a leading role in the governance and strategic implementation of EUCCS. Key stakeholders include:

• DG Migration & Home Affairs: Leads the legislative process and strategic coordination with support of the Mission Critical Expert Group (MCCG).
• Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Forum: Acts as the coordinator of the Key projects listed above, including user engagement.
• European Agencies: eu-LISA, ENISA, Frontex, Europol.

The system’s development involves significant input from public safety responders across Europe, ensuring that EUCCS will be designed to meet operational needs and integrate with existing national systems.

Integration with Satellite Communications

In line with the EU’s Space Strategy for Security and Defence, EUCCS is expected to integrate satellite communication capabilities, particularly through projects like GOVSATCOM and IRIS². This will enhance the system's resilience by ensuring secure communication, even in remote or challenging environments.

The integration of satellite services, which was not included in the earlier BroadWay project, is a key component for future EU-wide communication systems. The European Space Strategy, which recognizes the importance of satellite communication, aims to integrate satellite services with terrestrial infrastructure, ensuring the continuity of operations during crises.

Legislative Framework and Future Vision

A legislative proposal to formalize the EUCCS is currently under preparation, with an expected rollout by 2030. The European Commission’s proposal emphasizes the importance of secure communication systems for public safety, with a focus on interoperability, resilience, and sovereignty for EU Member States.

Key documents shaping the future of EUCCS include:

• ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy (2025), outlining the strategic role of EUCCS in enhancing internal security and resilience.

Operational Procedures Team (OPT)

The Operational Procedures Team (OPT) is a critical component of the EUCCS development process, involving first responders from across Europe. The OPT ensures that the system is operationally effective by providing feedback on usability, interoperability, and practical needs. This team is directly involved in shaping the Operational Procedures and training needed for successful deployment.

Ensuring EUCCS Works for the People Who Will Use It

A key pillar in the EUCCS preparation programme is the Operational Procedures Team (OPT)—a pan-European group of first responders and public safety practitioners from across all disciplines: police, fire services, medical responders, and civil protection units.

Purpose of the OPT

The OPT ensures that EUCCS is operationally usable, relevant, and beneficial to those on the front lines. Rather than relying solely on technical or policy design, the OPT brings the perspective of real-world users into the development process.

Its main goals are to answer four critical questions:

1. Is this what we actually need?
2. Does it work? Can we use it?
3. Will EUCCS help us or hinder us?
4. What operational procedures will we need?

Structure and Participation

• Part of the EUCCS Preparation Programme (BroadEU.Net), embedded in Stage 2 and Stage 3
• Includes active field professionals from countries directly involved in EUCCS Preparation, plus external practitioners
• All response disciplines are involved
• Their input informs:
  • Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Feedback on MCX interconnection trials
  • Usability and Human Factors design
  • Training and workflows

Impact on EUCCS

The OPT ensures that EUCCS is not just technologically functional, but operationally trusted. Their engagement will:

• Shape legislative and governance frameworks
• Influence rollout and adoption
• Define training and certification models

Challenges and Next Steps

The key challenges for EUCCS include:

• Fragmentation: Overcoming the fragmentation of national communication systems.
• Legal Harmonization: Ensuring that EUCCS complies with existing EU legislation, including data protection laws and interoperability standards.
• Sustainable Funding: Securing long-term financial support for the system’s development and maintenance.

Next steps include the continued preparation of technical specifications, further trials, and legislative proposals, with a full deployment targeted for 2030.

Conclusion

EUCCS is a vital initiative to enhance Europe’s ability to respond to crises. By creating a secure, interoperable communication infrastructure for public safety agencies across the EU, it aims to improve cross-border coordination, boost resilience, and strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy in addressing security challenges.