Almost a year after Belgian mobile network failures during the March 22nd attacks, the study promised to reshape the telecoms crisis plan has not yet been produced.
The contract award for this study was anticipated for last Autumn. However by this month (February 2017) the procedure had not yet been completed.
Chantal De Pauw, FPS Economy spokeswoman explained, “After an initial call for candidates received no response, the parties involved immediately launched the tendering procedure.”
She further said, “These parties are the FPS Economy, in collaboration with the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications, the Belgian Cyber-security Centre and the FPS Interior. This time, several candidates have made themselves known within the time limit.”
The procedure would now be finalised on schedule “and the matter is presently in the hands of ministers.” The decision-making power should then pass to the Cabinet before being subject to royal assent, making available a budget of a million euros.
The final conclusions are not expected before 2018. The overhaul of the telecoms crisis plan is thus not anticipated for another 18 months. This will be a full two years after the March 22nd attacks.
The Brussels Times
