The government has unveiled a plan to replace the current Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks of Portugal (Sistema Integrado de Redes de Emergência e Segurança de Portugal or SIRESP) with a new, hybrid critical communications network. The transition, which includes moving from the existing system to a 4G/5G-capable infrastructure, is expected to take over a decade and cost up to 800 million euros. A government-appointed working group also recommended creating a specialized public entity to manage the new state network.
New emergency communications system to take ten years
Tuesday, 5 May 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The SIRESP (Sistema Integrado de Redes de Emergência e Segurança de Portugal) is the national radio communications network used by emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical responders. It ensures that different agencies can communicate securely and reliably during daily operations and large-scale emergencies, such as wildfires or public events.
6 sources
- New SIRESP will take 10 years to be operationalobservador.pt ·
- New SIRESP will only be fully operational within 10 years and could cost up to 800 million eurosexpresso.pt ·
- SIRESP only succeeded during one event: Pope Francis' visitcnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- SIRESP working group proposes the creation of a new critical communications system to the Governmentdn.pt ·
- SIRESP working group proposes new public entityeco.sapo.pt ·
- New SIRESP will take more than ten years to become fully operationalrtp.pt ·
