The Ministry of Digital Transformation has brought to public hearing a royal decree that forces the main operators – Telefónica, Masorange, Vodafone and Digi – to invest up to 73 million euros to shield their networks in view of blackouts like the one in April and natural disasters like DANA.
Why is it important. The operators are going to have to reinforce 7,280 of their 10,400 strategic locations. Currently, only 30% have enough batteries or generators to maintain service for at least four hours without electricity supply.
The mandatory investment comes at a particularly delicate moment: Telefónica is executing an ERE and in others there are cost-cutting plans.
The obligations. 85% of the Spanish population must maintain access to telecommunications – including emergency calls – for at least four hours in the event of a power outage.
Critical infrastructures will have tougher demands:
- First level (submarine cables, main data centers, backbone nodes): guaranteed operability for 24 hours.
- Intermediate level (internet exchange points, satellite systems): 12 minimum hours of autonomy.
- Rest of infrastructure (standard mobile network antennas): four hours of continuous service.
The stick and the carrot. If companies do not comply, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications may carry out inspections, audits and request access to data at any time.
Serious violations can result in fines of up to 2 million euros for the company. In addition, managers who have participated in decisions that violate the rule may receive personal fines of up to 30,000 euros.
- The harshest measure is that the Government reserves the right to temporarily or totally suspend operating licenses. It may also prohibit certain managers from exercising management functions.
Yes, but. The rule exempts from sanctions managers who did not attend meetings where decisions contrary to the regulation were made, or who voted against them.
Coordination with Defense and Interior. A coordination table will be created between Digital Transformation, Interior, Defense, National Security, autonomous communities and the CNMC. It will not manage incidents directly, but will act as a strategic forum to develop protocols, recommendations and good practices.
Associations of operators, manufacturers and consumer organizations will also participate.
The context. The royal decree responds directly to recent crises such as the DANA of Valencia either the eruption of the La Palma volcanowhere communication outages made emergency work and the coordination of those affected difficult.
The regulations will come into force after passing the public hearing, being approved by the Council of Ministers and ratified by Congress.
Featured image | Zac Gudakov
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