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NationalTelecommunicationsCoordination Group (NTSG)

The National Telecommunications Coordination Group (NTSG) was founded in August 2005 and

is a voluntary cooperation platform aimed at supporting the restoration of the nationalinfrastructure for electronic communications in connection with extraordinary events in society.

Collaborating partiesThe criterion for NTSG membership is that the operator/organisation possesses its own technical

equipment, skills or resources that affect Sweden's critical infrastructure for electronic

communications. Through their role, they have a potentially major influence on the critical

national infrastructure for electronic communications. New members may join the group following

a joint decision in NTSG.

NTSG currently comprises the Swedish Rail Administration's telecommunications network,Skanova Access AB, Stokab, Svenska kraftnt, TDC, Tele2 Sverige AB, Telia Sonera AB, Telenor

Sverige AB, Teracom AB, Hi3G Access (3) AB, the Swedish Urban Network Association, the

Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).

Division of responsibilityThe work of the group is based on voluntary efforts and each participant represents its own

organisation. The group elects the chair. PTS currently has the role of chair and provides

administrative support. Staff from the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Service provide

additional administrative support in connection with extended emergencies when such support isneeded.

MeetingsThose participating in NTSG meet up twice a year to ensure that NTSG is well established and has

been trained to be able to function in a national emergency, to test and develop the forum, to

update documentation, to develop contacts and for coordination exercises. In addition to this, the

group's procedures for convening meetings are tested every third month. These virtual meetings also

offer the opportunity to discuss issues within the group's area of interest. The group's members also

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participate in various collaboration projects with the power sector and the stakeholders responsible

for the area, such as the county administrative boards and municipal authorities.

During an emergency, the group's work is initiated by a group member requesting that the group

convenes, following which PTS makes a decision regarding this. The group then convenes either

virtually or physically at a predetermined location. Work starts with a start-up meeting, which

follows an agenda drawn up in advance and the members report on the current situation. After that,regular telephone and web meetings are held as often as the situation requires. This work is

characterised by collaboration within the sector, collaboration across sectors, private-public

collaboration and civil-military collaboration.

FieldsThe respective operator and network owner deal with disruptions and minor emergencies on a daily

basis. The operators' operations management centres have the advanced capacity to deal with the

disruptions and emergencies that affect their own area of responsibility. Emergencies and

extraordinary events may give rise to situations that are alleviated by the stakeholders assisting oneanother.

In the event of an emergency, the group summarises the damage situation, reports back on the

situation to the parties affected and proposes measures as required. If needed, the group may also

coordinate initiatives.

Collaboration with other stakeholders in society is an important area for NTSG. Routines for

collaboration with, for example, county administrative boards and other important stakeholders in

an emergency situation are gradually being developed.

Critical factors of successNTSG is a group that has a coordinating and advisory function. One factor of success is that the

organisation enjoys the strong support of the home organisation so that the group's proposals are

carefully considered by the member organisations. Another factor of success is advanced

collaboration and that the stakeholders involved in the crisis management work have the capacity to

see above and beyond a commercial level to see the big picture for the best interests of customers

and society.

Contact details and more information

If you would like to contact NTSG, send an e-mail to ntsg@telesamverkan.se. Jonny Nilsson, PTS,is the chair of NTSG. More information about PTS's emergency-related work can be found at

www.pts.se/krisinformation (in Swedish).

September 2008