A proposal by the MND was sent to Parliament, according to a report by UDN [a]. What makes the proposal interesting is that, in a complex or major contingency, the armed forces would take a proactive role in supporting EMCOMM at forward‑deployed posts for civilian first responders. Based on my experience, this is the first time the armed forces have taken that stance.
The MND says it has planned multiple communication methods that can be deployed immediately to support remote areas (per the request of unnamed legislators). These include radios across various frequency bands that can communicate simultaneously with the military, police, and fire services. I have strong doubts about this claim, as the police and fire services currently use incompatible systems. It is also widely known that, in urban environments, firefighters lack sufficient relays. [b].
The plan also incorporates digital microwave links and TAK (Tactical Awareness Kit). Based on the needs of the disaster‑affected region and guidance from the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC), additional communication resources will be dispatched in real time to areas where communications are blocked, establishing a follow‑up rescue liaison mechanism.
THE PROPOSAL
1. Existing Backbone – Mobile Digital Microwave
- Purpose: Connects fixed command posts to transmit monitoring data and alarm commands.
- Performance (when the path is intact):
- Stable, high‑capacity communications.
- Low‑latency bandwidth for continuous data flow.
- Supports resource scheduling and intelligence exchange.
2. Standard Radio Network
- Deployment: Pre‑installed at every level of emergency centers.
- Function: Provides voice communication among troops, police, fire services, and villages.
- When mobile networks fail: Acts as an instant voice‑communication tool for coordination and intelligence reporting.
3. SatCom Back‑ups
| System | Role | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST‑2 Satellite | Backup link for forward command posts; connects to the military disaster‑response centre. | Can serve as a node for command‑and‑control communications. | Large terminals make deep‑field deployment difficult. |
| OneWeb LEO Constellation | Civilian‑network backup via ground‑terminal antennas. | Enables download of large data sets (e.g., weather cloud maps) for disaster assessment. | Bulky terminals limit placement inside disaster zones. |
4. Rescue‑Mission Smartphones
- Primary reporting channel – messages sent via group chats or six‑digit military lines.
- Efficiency: High when power and base stations are functional.
- Vulnerability: Massive power outages or damaged base stations (e.g., typhoons) can cripple mobile communications, reducing resilience. [c]
5. Future Planning – Portable High‑Throughput Satellite (HTS) Units
- Mobility: Packaged with pre‑positioned forces; can be quickly moved into potential disaster areas.
- Pre‑outage capability: Establishes high‑bandwidth links between central command and the military before public networks fail, ensuring orders reach the field directly.
- Total‑outage capability: Can be activated anywhere in a disaster zone, instantly creating a command‑post liaison mechanism.
6. Tactical Broadband Radio Networks (4G/5G Private Nets)
- On‑site deployment: Sets up localized private networks for rescue teams.
- Integration with TAK:
- Real‑time reporting to liaison officers.
- Immediate dissemination of evacuation orders.
- Combined with High Throughput Satellite (HTS): Rapidly builds dedicated high‑bandwidth area networks linking rescue units and command posts.
My Thoughts
I haven’t read the complete proposal, but I do think that having a unified EMCOMM scheme championed by the MND is a novel idea in Taiwan. While past experience gives me little confidence in the armed forces’ coordination ability, I believe this proposal needs to be reviewed internally by seasoned experts who have worked in the field.
Reference
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