WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00

by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU

From one Member State to another in the European Union there are differing telephone numbers which may be called in an emergency. This actually means that few people know the relevant emergency number when staying in other Member States. The example of the USA shows how a single emergency number can simplify the calling of assistance.

With this in mind:

1. How does the Commission view the fact that there are differing emergency numbers in the countries of the European Union?

2. Does the Commission agree that a single EU-wide emergency number would help improve the effectiveness of assistance in emergencies?

3. Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a single EU-wide emergency number?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2000)

Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991, on the introduction of a single European emergency call number(1) requires the Member States to ensure that the number 112 is introduced in public telephone networks, ISDN networks and public mobile services. However it does not mandate its exclusive use but allows existing emergency call numbers to continue in parallel. In addition, the Voice Telephony Directive 98/10/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 1998 on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment(2) guarantees that users of fixed and mobile phones, including public payphones, can access the 112 emergency service free of charge.

Although the Decision specified an introduction date of 31 December 1992, it allowed for derogations until 31 December 1996 in case of technical, financial, geographical or organisational difficulties. In the meantime, 112 is available free of charge from fixed and mobile phones and from public payphones in all Member States except Greece against which infringement proceedings have been opened.

Several Member States have adopted 112 as the unique national emergency number and several major information campaigns have been funded with a view to develop its use both nationally and when travelling in the Community. Moreover, although not required by the Decision, in several Member States, calls are answered in several languages when necessary. Details can be found in a report dated January 1999 published by the Commission, available on the Internet at:

http://www.ispo.cec.be/infosoc/telecompolicy/en/comm-en.htm.

In the light of further European integration with the increased travel for leisure or in conjunction with cross-border economic activity, the issue is important from a general societal point of view and manifests a good example of a Community measure that directly benefits the citizens of Europe. The Commission shares the view that the common emergency number helps improve the effectiveness of providing emergency assistance in the Community.

To strengthen further the current framework, the Commission has proposed in the 1999 review communication(3) that location data of callers in distress are passed on to the emergency service authorities, in both fixed and mobile networks. This will be one important aspect of the forthcoming review of the Community's telecommunications policy.

The common emergency number is an assurance for all 380 million Community citizens and for travellers from abroad that they can call for assistance whenever they are in an emergency or life-threatening situation. The guaranteed availability throughout the Community on fixed and mobile networks, the ability to make emergency calls free of charge and the ability to provide location data of users in an emergency are key issues.

(1) OJ L 217, 6.8.1991.

(2) OJ L 101, 1.4.1998.

(3) COM(1999) 539 final.