NPN Crisis Communication

Imagine a situation in which a prolonged power outage occurs. Mobile networks become overloaded or fail, internet access is unavailable and communication between citizens, emergency services and public authorities becomes uncertain. In precisely the kind of crisis where reliable information is essential to prevent panic and coordinate emergency response efforts, communication may break down. This vulnerability is a growing concern for municipalities, safety regions and other public organisations.

At the same time, a new market is emerging for resilient crisis communication: communication systems that can continue operating when conventional telecommunications infrastructure fails. The NPN (New Path Network) project addresses this challenge. The Dutch technology company Procolix develops networking and connectivity solutions and is exploring how such systems can be used for crisis communication during prolonged power outages.

Although various wireless communication technologies exist, such as LoRa mesh networks, UHF systems and other low-power communication systems, it remains unclear which technology or combination of technologies is suitable for large-scale crisis communication in an urban context. There is also a lack of insight into the communication needs of public organisations and the organisational and technical requirements for implementation. The central research question of this project is therefore: Based on existing connectivity solutions, what would a robust, energy-efficient communication system look like that remains operational during prolonged power outages and disruptions to telecommunications infrastructure, while being suitable for use by public organisations and citizens in crisis situations?

To address this question, Procolix is collaborating with TU Delft, AMS Institute and the Municipality of Amsterdam in a public-private partnership. The project combines technical analysis of wireless communication systems with design-oriented research into usability, governance and implementation.

The research takes place in an urban experimental environment (field lab) around the Marineterrein in Amsterdam and builds on existing pilots involving emergency support centres across the city. Here, a research prototype of a communication network will be developed and tested to enable communication between emergency support centres, participating organisations and key individuals in neighbourhoods during a prolonged power outage scenario.

The application forms part of a broader sociotechnical system for crisis communication, in which technology, users, public organisations and regulations interact. The project therefore follows a design-led approach based on AMS Institute's Living Lab methodology, in which solutions are developed and tested iteratively in a realistic urban context.

By combining technical development, design and practical testing, the project will generate new knowledge about resilient crisis communication. At the same time, it offers opportunities for the further development of products and services for crisis connectivity, with potential for scaling up to other municipalities and European markets.

€117.810 in PPP-funding will be allocated to the project.