The European Union is taking contingency measures to prevent disruptions of Internet service, such as the failures taking place in Asia after a major earthquake hit the coast of Taiwan late last month. Although area service providers have redirected traffic, while undersea cables damaged by the 7.1-magnitude earthquake are repaired, a few days ago Internet users in Asia were still having connection problems. Cable damage has prevented market players from exchanging information in real time, a detrimental situation to the world’s economy.

To prevent a similar situation, the European Union has sought expert feedback on how to ensure European electronic networks are protected and resilient against terrorist attacks and natural disasters. “Communication and information infrastructures are the nervous system of our modern society,” Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding explains. “I would not like Europe to experience the huge problems Asia faced over the Christmas time as a consequence of an earthquake south of Taiwan.”

A study commissioned by the EU recommends the Commission, Member States and private industry take key actions to prepare and recover from a disaster. These include the implementation of drills, priority restoration procedures and mutual aid agreements between operators and service providers. This initiative coincides with the Communication on a Strategy for a Secure Information Society and the Proposal for a European Programme on Critical Infrastructure Protection endorsed by the European Union.

The Asian earthquake affected Internet, phone and mobile service in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia. Redirected Internet traffic has clogged existing lines.

This article is from the IBLS INTERNET LAW NEWS PORTAL. We provide updates on internet law and ecommerce regulations to individuals and companies all over the world. Free Internet Law News ticker service available. The original article is posted here.

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