The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, is developing and coordinating a global contingency plan for communication in the Azores, which has the support of ANACOM, the National Communications Authority that regulates and monitors the electronic and postal communications sector in Portugal.

This is another innovative and unique project at a national level, undertaken by the Government of the Azores, which aims to create a set of mechanisms to ensure a permanent connection with various regional entities in order to provide immediate access to essential information in situations of crisis or war. 

This project also allows the implementation of a set of procedures for the evaluation and restoration of communications after their breakdown, thus assuring the continuity of the government’s action, protection of populations as well as the support to the Armed Forces.

The pilot project counts upon the collaboration of Portugal Telecom, EDA, the Povoação Town Hall and the Praia da Vitória City Hall.

Various entities have already met, under the coordination of the Regional Directorate for Science, Technology and Communications, to draft a plan to implement the project by the end of the year.

Until then, several work sessions will take place as well as some exercises to simulate real situations. It is expected that one of the project’s evaluations might be carried out in a national exercise under the Communications Emergency Planning Commission.