To protect the mobile telephone network: the Federal Council wants to block certain websites in the event of a power outage

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Such a scenario is currently considered unlikely. To prevent a collapse of the power supply in the event of an emergency, sector-specific measures are also necessary, the Federal Council announced. Another sector, telecommunications, has developed proposals to reduce electricity consumption.

As a first step, the proposal would block certain websites. Common social media, video and music platforms would be affected. This is with the aim of reducing data traffic. The Federal Council does not specify which platforms these are. The determination of the platforms to be blocked will only be determined in the event of a crisis, as laid down in a consultation document.

Frequency bands disabled

Frequency bands would then be gradually turned off. In the first phase the high mobile frequency bands, in the second the medium frequencies. According to the federal government, this can lead to more difficult data transmission and therefore to missing data connections.

As a final measure, ten percent of the macro antenna locations would be disabled. This leads to limitations in the quality of coverage in mobile communications, it was said. However, basic actions remain possible.

“However, network shutdowns or an uncontrolled collapse of the network would have much more serious consequences for telecommunications,” the Federal Council wrote.

The consultation on measures to reduce the consumption of electrical energy in mobile communications will last until May 21.

Second consultation

It is the second consultation on an industrial solution. In the event of an electricity shortage, the Federal Council said that quotas for large consumers are an important measure to prevent network outages. However, specific solutions are needed for individual services relevant to basic services.

In the autumn of 2023, a proposal was submitted for consultation with which public transport and freight transport by rail can at least partially continue to fulfill their basic tasks in the event of a power shortage.

The planned measures in public transport would therefore be a general reduction in traffic, the cancellation of special trains, shorter train compositions and the replacement of electric buses with diesel buses on the road. In the worst case, freight traffic would be limited to essential goods such as medical supplies, army supplies or food.

There is also a proposal for wastewater treatment plants. (SDA)

Source:Blick