Regulator, operators set up virtual CBE

Interim solution following quake

- KOMSAN TORTAMVASANA

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and major telecom operators have set up a virtual cell broadcast entity (CBE) system as an interim solution to urgently enable national disaster response capabilities, pending the complete establishment of a CBE system by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

The latest move is in response to the massive deadly quake that took place in Myanmar on Friday that was also experienced in Thailand.

The regulator called an urgent meeting yesterday on the issue of the tremor with major mobile operators, representatives of the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES), the DDPM, the Army and Line officials.

Nirat Trakarnsirikul said the meeting acknowledged that major operators have already developed a virtual CBE to enable disaster response capabilities.

LACK OF A COMPLETE SYSTEM

Related public agencies and private telecom operators have already tested a cell broadcast service (CBS) disaster warning system nationwide, which was initially scheduled for completion in the middle of this year.

The CBS system requires two key parts, the CBE system and the cell broadcast centre (CBC) network.