The Commission and Member States continue the work to establish the EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS), connecting communication networks of law-enforcement, civil protection and public safety responders in Europe to allow for seamless critical communication and operational mobility across the Schengen area. By doing so, EUCCS will enhance the resilience of public communication infrastructure and ensure Europe’s capacity to react in times of crises.

The creation of EUCCS responds directly to the conclusions of the Council of the European Union from 7 June 2021, emphasising ‘the importance of secure operational and EU interoperable communication for law enforcement agencies (…),’ and inviting ‘Member States to further support EU initiatives aiming at the improvement of existing systems and EU-wide interoperable communication systems for public security (…).

The system was recently announced to be established by 2030 in the Commission White Paper ‘How to master Europe's digital infrastructure needs?’ which outlines the main initiatives for secure digital infrastructures and networks as one of the four pillars of the EU’s Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. As laid out in the 2023 EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, it is furthermore explored to which extend IRIS², the EU secure connectivity satellite constellation, can support the establishment of EUCCS.

The technical pillar of EUCCS is built from a foundation of Horizon2020 projects: BroadMap carried out an initial requirement study (2016-17), and BroadWay (2018-22) a Pre-commercial Procurement and now BroadEU.Net (2022-26), a partnership of 15 representatives of Ministries or their delegated agencies in 15 EU and Schengen Member States, funded by DG HOME’s Internal Security Fund (ISF). The foundation of EUCCS will leverage 3GPP Mobile Mission Critical (MCX) Standards; building on the commercial economy of scale of mobile phone technology, making sure that its suitably secure and resilient.

BroadEU.Net explores and encourages the technical maturity of standardized mobile technologies, bring them to Mission Critical quality. Most importantly, BroadEU.Net brings together responders of all disciplines to determine how this technology will improve their role to collaborate together, keeping Europe safe and secure; an important goal in these difficult times.