The ETC2020 Strategy states that the ETC will produce charters for the management of mutually-beneficial and committed parnterships between humanitarian, government, private sector, academic and other stakeholder organisations.
Two charters have been established:
- Humanitarian Connectivity Charter with Mobile Network Operators
- Crisis Connectivity Charter with the satellite industry.
Crisis Connectivity Charter
The Crisis Connectivity Charter is a set of commitments by the satellite community to enhance connectivity in times of crises, facilitating communications between – to – from – and across all those responding to humanitarian emergencies, including affected communities. Principles of the charter include strengthening partnership between satellite industry, government and humanitarian sector; enhanced coordination to enable prioritization of humanitarian internet traffic during disaster operations; prepositioned equipment; training and capacity building.
Established by the EMEA Satellite Operator's Association (ESOA) and Global VSAT Forum, the Crisis Connectivity Charter is a direct outcome of a WHS Business Consultation hosted by the Government of Luxembourg and ETC in June 2015.
Signatories of the Crisis Connectivity Charter include: EMC, Eutelsat, Hispasat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, SES, Thuraya and Yahsat.
Humanitarian Connectivity Charter
With mobile networks and the connectivity they provide being lifelines for disaster affected people, the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter supports Mobile Network Operators in improving preparedness and resilience to emergencies. The Charter consists of a set of shared principals adopted by key players in the mobile industry to support improved access to communication and information for those affected by crisis in order to reduce the loss of life and positively contribute to humanitarian response.
The principles, objectives and aspirational activities of the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter are supported by the ETC, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Signatories of the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter include: Axiata, Etisalat, Globe, Ooredoo, Roshan, Smart, Telefonica, Millicom, Zain Group.