POLICIES :: eCommunications :: Pan-European numbers and services

Pan-European numbers and services

With more mobility for citizens in Europe it is increasingly important that access to essential services does not depend on ‘local knowledge’. Harmonisation and coordination of telecommunications services provide opportunities to introduce unified numbers as well as services to benefit citizens all over the EU. These include the single European emergency number 112 and the 116 range of numbers for social services. Soon Europeans will be also able to benefit from pan-European mobile satellite services.

The single European emergency number - 112

112 is designed to enable anyone to call emergency services from anywhere in the European Union. There is no need to remember different emergency numbers when travelling in the EU. Just remember 112! Following a European initiative from 1991, the single European emergency number 112 is now available across the EU. Although in some Member States, 112 has become the main emergency number, in most Member States it still operates alongside other national emergency numbers.

Member States must ensure that 112 can be called free of charge from any fixed or mobile telephone, including public payphones. In addition, it requires that 112 calls be appropriately answered and handled. Member States must also make sure that telecoms operators provide emergency services with the location data of people calling 112. Lastly, all EU countries are required to inform citizens, whether national or visitors, about the existence of 112. The revised EU telecoms rules for 112, which should have entered into force in all Member States on 26 May 2011 at the latest, are strengthened, in particular by improving access to 112 for people with disabilities. In addition, mobile roaming users receive now information about 112 when travelling across the EU.

The Commission is working to ensure the proper implementation of 112 across the EU. Its specific activities focus on:

Raising awareness: A recent EU survey found out that a large majority of EU citizens are still unaware that 112 can be used across the EU in case of emergency. The Commission has launched a 112 website, which provides user-friendly country information to about 112, including a kids' corner. Moreover, in 2009 the Commission signed a joint declaration together with the European Parliament and Council establishing 11 February as the European 112 Day.
Ensuring that EU rules are correctly applied: several infringement proceedings against Member States were launched, in particular regarding the provision of caller location information for mobile calls to 112.
Collaborating with national authorities through expert groups: such as the Communications Committee (COCOM), the Expert Group on Emergency Access (EGEA) and the Expert Group on Users with Disabilities (INCOM).
Supporting other 112 initiatives and projects: such as the eCall for emergency calls in case of vehicle accidents, Reach 112 for alternative ways of communication with emergency services for people with impairments or with serious injuries. Moreover, the Commission has launched a study to assess the use of 112 and access to emergency services in ten Mediterranean countries.

116xyz – harmonised European numbers for hot- and helplines

The harmonised numbers for services of social value aim to enable citizens to reach such services by using the same recognisable numbers in all Member States.

The 116000 telephone number has been reserved in all Member States as a hotline for reporting missing children. This initiative is the first of a number of common Europe-wide telephone services that deliver social benefits and start with the three digits 116. Hotlines for parents to report missing children already exist in several EU countries, but they use a variety of numbers. Having a common hotline number will greatly help parents if their child goes missing whilst travelling outside their home country.

The number 116111 for child helplines is the second number after 116000 that the European Commission considers a priority in its strategy for children's rights. 116111 is addressed directly to children who seek someone to talk to and provide assistance. A third number, 116123, has been reserved for emotional support helplines. The lines will give moral support to individuals who are suffering from loneliness, are in a state of psychological crisis or thinking about committing suicide. The decision reserving these two additional numbers can be found here.

On 30 November 2009 the Commission reserved two new numbers in the 116 range: 116006 for helplines for victims of crime and 116117 for non-emergency medical on-call services. Member States were required to make those numbers available by 15 April 2010 to organisations wishing to provide such services in their territory.

The helpline for victims of crime (116006) give people emotional support, inform them of their rights and how to use these, while also referring victims to relevant organisations. As a single access point, it will provide information about local police and criminal justice proceedings, possibilities for compensation and insurance matters, and other sources of help for victims of crime. The non-emergency medical on-call service (116117) directs callers to medical assistance when the need is urgent but not life-threatening, especially outside normal office hours, during the weekend or public holidays. The aim is to connect the caller to a skilled call-handler or a qualified medical practitioner who could provide on-call medical assistance or advice. The Commission Decision reserving these two new numbers can be found here.

State of Implementation of reserved 116 numbers

As of January 2011, four of the harmonized numbers were operational, but not in all Member States: 116000 (Hotline for missing children) was functioning in 15 Member States, 116006 (Helpline for victims of crime) in two and 116111 (Child helpline) in 17, while 116123 (Emotional support helpline) was operational in seven Member States. The Non-emergency medical on-call service (116117) was not yet operational in any Member States, although three organisations have already been assigned by national authorities. The Commission publishes twice a year a detailed report on the state of implementation. The latest report on the state of implementation as of January 2011 can be found here.

Awareness

In November 2010, in its Communication "Dial 116 000: The European hotline for missing children", the Commission renewed its call on Member States to implement the missing children hotline as a matter of priority and to ensure that the same high quality of service is offered throughout the Union.

Eurobarometer survey 2011

In May 2011, the Commission carried out a Eurobarometer survey to assess the level of awareness in the Member States. The strong support expressed across the European Union for the five types of helplines (85-91% of Europeans think that these numbers are fairly or very useful) demonstrates the importance of providing these services and of unifying them under a single numbering range throughout the EU. Across the EU, three out of four people feel that their Government does not provide enough information about the 116 helplines. The low level of awareness of those 116 services that are operational (seldom exceeding 1% and never exceeding 7% for any number in any Member State) underlines the need for enhanced efforts to provide information.

The complete report is available here.

Strengthened provisions on 116 numbers in Telecoms Reform Package

As part of the package of reforms to the EU's regulatory framework for electronic communications adopted on 25 November 2009, a new provision (Article 27a) has been inserted in the Universal Service Directive (Directive 2002/22/EC) dealing specifically with 116 numbers. This Article provides, inter alia, that:

Member States shall promote the specific 116 numbers reserved by the Commission and shall encourage the provision within their territory of the services for which such numbers are reserved;
Member States shall ensure that disabled end-users are able to access services provided under the "116" numbering range to the greatest extent possible;
Member States shall ensure that citizens are adequately informed of the existence and use of services provided under the "116" numbering range, in particular through initiatives specifically targeting persons travelling between Member States;
Member States shall make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service operating a hotline to report cases of missing children. The hotline shall be available on the number 116000.

Mobile satellite services (MSS)

Mobile satellite services (MSS) allow communications between satellites and mobile terrestrial equipment. Their use can range from high-speed internet access to mobile television and radio and emergency communications. Mobile satellite services cover a large part of the EU's territory, thereby reaching millions of EU citizens across borders. They can ensure access for all Europeans to new communication services, not only in metropolitan areas, but also rural and less populated regions.

The Commission aims to encourage a single market for these services. To facilitate their roll-out, operators of MSS systems have been selected through a single selection procedure for mobile satellite services at European level instead of 27 different national procedures.

By Decision of 13 May 2009, Inmarsat Ventures limited and Solaris Mobile Limited were selected to operate mobile satellite systems across Europe.

The authorisation of the selected applicants at national level must be ensured as soon as possible and in accordance with the EU authorisation rules. The two operators have to be authorised to use their satellite systems all over Europe for 18 years from the selection decision. The development and commercial deployment of mobile satellite systems should be completed by the selected operators by May 2011 at the latest. The selected applicants are bound by the commitments that they have undertaken.

In October 2008, a request for annulment of the legal basis for the selection procedure was brought to the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. The action (Case T-441/08) was dismissed as inadmissible by Order of 21 May 2010.

In May 2009, a request for annulment of the Commission Selection Decision of 13 May 2009 was brought to the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. This case (T-196/09) has been removed from the register at the request of TerreStar on 1 March 2010.

In September 2009, another request for annulment of the Commission Selection Decision of 13 May 2009 was brought to the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. The case is currently pending before the Court (Case T-350/09).

Study on MSS Authorisation Regimes and Authorisations in the EU Member States (431kB)

The aim of this study, completed in January 2011, is to present Member State regulations that apply, following Decision 626/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the selection and authorisation of MSS systems and Decision 2009/49/EC of the Commission on the selection of MSS operators.