site.btaParliament Approves Overhaul of 112 Emergency Call System

MPs adopted, at second reading on Thursday, amendments to the National Emergency Call System Act for the single European emergency number 112, suggested by the Council of Ministers.

Emergency communications, information exchange between 112 centres and emergency services, and resource management will be handled through a unified information and communication system within System 112.

The system will comprise specialised and standard hardware and software hosted in data centres at the 112 sites; specialised and standard terminals for retrieving and entering data linked to 112 calls; and specialised and standard equipment for communicating with public electronic communications providers.

The programme provides for next-generation communication centres linked by a packet-switched broadband network. This will allow real-time exchange of video, data, voice, and text, and support the launch of new services.

These centres will pinpoint the location of callers and incidents, provide equal access for people with disabilities, and route calls to the most suitable centre, ensuring effective emergency response for all citizens.

Anyone in Bulgaria will be able to reach 112 free of charge when emergency assistance is required.

If the number is misused, including by automatic dialling, 112 centres will technically restrict such calls under rules set by an order of the interior minister.