# Ortsnetz: The municipal platform that keeps working even during a blackout > Crisis communication via app, local server and mesh network – for municipalities and districts. https://www.ortsnetz.eu/en/intro · [Deutsche Version](https://www.ortsnetz.eu/intro.md) ## How the information flows ### Normal operation 1. The municipality maintains information, documents and warnings centrally on its own hub server. 2. They reach the citizen app via internet and mobile network. Crisis-relevant documents and offline maps are synchronized to the devices in advance. 3. Info points in public buildings provide all important information via Wi-Fi. ### Crisis 1. Power, internet and mobile network fail – the hub server keeps running on emergency power. 2. The crisis team sends warnings and coordinates via the mesh network. 3. Solar-powered repeaters carry the messages to the citizens' devices. 4. Info points with their own emergency power supply provide all important information via Wi-Fi – access via QR code, no app installation required. 5. An optional satellite link keeps the connection to the outside world. ## Ortsnetz at a glance - **Available offline:** Crisis-relevant information is stored on the device, even without a network. - **Your own crisis network:** Warnings reach citizens via an independent radio network. - **Crisis team stays operational:** The crisis team can communicate even during a total outage. - **Data stays in the municipality:** Operated on a local server with emergency power supply. ## The problem Municipalities must be able to reach their citizens reliably in an emergency – during floods, power outages or cyberattacks. Yet that is exactly when all existing digital channels fail. ### Ahr valley, July 2021 When the flood came, power, mobile network and landline failed. Many people received the warnings too late or not at all – exactly when they were needed most. ### No network, no signal Without power and mobile network, warning apps fall silent, and websites and social media are unreachable. Citizens are left on their own, not knowing what is happening or what to do. ### Crisis team without connection The crisis team in particular depends on reliable communication. If telephone, email and mobile network fail, situation reports can no longer be shared, decisions can no longer be agreed and measures can no longer be coordinated. ## The solution Ortsnetz is the municipal platform that serves as a complete citizen app in normal operation and switches seamlessly to a self-sufficient communication system in a crisis – without power, internet or mobile network. ### Layer 1: Hub server A local server at the public utility coordinates all registered citizens, provides everyday and crisis information for download and synchronizes messages via the mesh network – on emergency power during a power outage. ### Layer 2: Mesh network A decentralized 868 MHz radio network connects all districts of the municipality and reliably delivers messages to citizens' devices – entirely without mobile network or internet. Self-healing: no single point of failure. ### Layer 3: Local info points Dedicated devices in public buildings provide their own Wi-Fi and deliver all important information as a web app – access via QR code, no app installation required. ### Layer 4: Satellite link An optional satellite link of the hub server can bridge the connection to the outside world. In the future, aerial situation images are also to be available. Four layers, one system: in everyday life Ortsnetz uses the usual networks, in an emergency your municipality's own infrastructure with emergency power supply. [Book a consultation](https://www.ortsnetz.eu/en/intro#contact) ## One platform, three perspectives ### Local government (Mayor, public order office, treasurer) - Ability to act in an emergency - Data sovereignty without mandatory cloud - Documented crisis team communication - Warnings with proof of receipt - Gradual expansion as needed ### Utilities & technology (Public utilities, IT managers) - Local server with emergency power supply on your own premises - High security standards, low maintenance effort - Optional redundant servers in a cluster - Operation without dependence on external data centers - Solar-powered repeaters at strategic outdoor locations - Info points with at least 72 hours of UPS ### Citizens (Citizens of the municipality) - One app for everyday life: information, appointments and services of the municipality - In an emergency: warnings, offline maps and location-based, crisis-relevant documents on the device - Available in several languages - At an info point, a QR code is all it takes – no installation What Ortsnetz means for your municipality and your role in concrete terms is best clarified in a personal conversation. [Book a consultation](https://www.ortsnetz.eu/en/intro#contact) ## One platform for everyday life – and for emergencies A full-featured citizen app in normal operation. A self-sufficient communication system in a crisis. Both from a single source, on your own server. ### Normal operation: Digital citizen services - **Registered users:** Address citizens in a targeted and traceable way. - **Information & documents:** Wiki, documents and maps of the municipality, maintained centrally and always up to date. - **Warnings:** Nationwide and municipal warnings in one place. - **Your own server:** Full data sovereignty, on-site operation, no mandatory cloud. ### Crisis operation: Self-sufficient crisis chain - **Direct reach:** All citizens via the mesh network – even during a total network failure. - **Reachability overview:** The crisis team sees who or how many people have received and confirmed a message. - **Crisis team communication:** Group chat via the mesh network, logged in an audit-proof way. - **Offline data storage:** All critical information and maps available even without a network. ### Expandable step by step - Warnings and crisis communication - Citizen app - Citizen communication - Satellite link - Employee app Which expansion stage shall we discuss together? [Book a consultation](https://www.ortsnetz.eu/en/intro#contact) ## Frequently asked questions ### Does Ortsnetz really work without power, internet and mobile network? Yes. In a crisis, the mesh network carries the communication. The hub server and info points run on emergency power with at least 72 hours of autonomy, the solar-powered repeaters permanently. The network is self-healing: if a node fails, neighbouring nodes automatically reroute the message. ### Is Ortsnetz just an app? No. The app is the visible part. Behind it are a local server in your municipality, a dedicated radio network and devices on site, which together keep working even when no public infrastructure is available anymore. ### How does Ortsnetz improve the work of our crisis team? The crisis team can communicate even during a total network failure, sees whether warnings have been received and has offline access to all stored crisis documents. Communication within the crisis team is recorded separately for documentation purposes. ### What happens to our citizens' data? All user data remains on the server in your municipality. There is no mandatory cloud and no disclosure to third parties. Transmission and storage are encrypted throughout; the architecture is designed for GDPR, KRITIS and NIS2 requirements. ## Get in touch Are you responsible for your municipality's crisis preparedness, technical operations or digital communication with citizens? Talk to us – we take the time to answer your questions. - [Contact form](https://www.ortsnetz.eu/en/intro#contact) - Email: [info@ortsnetz.eu](mailto:info@ortsnetz.eu) - Ortsnetz System GmbH, Im Stöcken 5, 72458 Albstadt ## Supported by Ortsnetz is supported by the ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Baden-Württemberg of the European Space Agency.