Resilience of communication networks

Communication networks have become critical infrastructure, supporting everything from commerce and healthcare to education and public services. With over 99% of the world's IP traffic carried by submarine cables, disruptions can have severe and far-reaching consequences. Ensuring continuous and stable network operation—especially during crises—has, therefore, become a top priority on the policy agendas of OECD countries.

In response to this growing challenge, the OECD is launching its new report, "The Evolving Connectivity Ecosystem: Resilience of Communication Networks." The event will also feature a panel discussion with telecom operators focusing on a real-world case: the coordinated response to the floods in Valencia, Spain, in October 2024.

Participants in this event will have the opportunity to:

• Gain insights into the risks networks face and the strategies to protect them
• Learn how OECD countries are implementing measures to improve network resilience
• Discuss emerging policy frameworks for network resilience, from local responses to global approaches.

• Opening remarks by H.E. Ximo Puig i Ferrer, Ambassador of Spain to the OECD.
• Presentation of the report by Jerry Sheehan, Director of the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, and Inmaculada Cava Ferreruela, Policy Analyst, OECD Connectivity Services and Infrastructures Unit.
• Panel discussion ‘From local-to-global: lessons learned on network resilience after the Valencia floods’ with Sergio Riolobos, Dean of the Professional Association of Telecommunications Engineers of the Region of Valencia, and telecom operators Telefónica, Vodafone, and Orange.

The event will be livestreamed from the Salón de Actos de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación,  Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Edificio 4D. Camino de Vera, s/n 46022 Valencia (Spain)