+49 2641 3703 – 0 +49 2641 3703 – 199 info@moench-group.com

Frequentis Emergency Services Network Gateway Certified for Use

Step Forward for Troubled UK ESN Programme

Frequentis has announced that its Emergency Services Network (ESN) Gateway has been certified for use by the Network Approval Testing Service.

The ESN Gateway is a vital component of the transition of the legacy Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) system, known as Airwave, used by British emergency services to a new 4G wireless broadband system – ESN. The ESN Gateway will ensure control-room operators will “have access to a fully approved and easy to use interface into ESN when Airwave is discontinued during the transition,” Frequentis states.

The Gateway will connect Frequentis’s multimedia communications platform, 3020 LifeX, to the ESN. LifeX is used by a number of emergency-service operators, and all Frequentis customers in the sector will need a Gateway to effect the transition to the new system. LifeX will allow operators to use multimedia communications: the forthcoming next-generation 999 service will go beyond current functionality, where members of the public requiring emergency services are limited to making a telephone call, and enable anyone using the 999 service to share imagery and videos with operators.

Adapting LifeX to ensure compatibility with ESN will guarantee first responders have immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline, further supporting them in their challenging role,” Andy Madge, Frequentis UK MD, said. “ESN will transmit fast, safe and secure voice, video and data across the 4G network. Working directly with the UK Home Office on this transition plan and delivery has been key to the smooth running of the project and this successful certification.

The plan to replace TETRA with ESN was announced in 2014, with a target of transitioning to the new system by the end of 2019. In June 2021 the schedule was revised for the fourth time with full transition not now expected until the end of 2026. Airwave, the company which provides the TETRA service, was bought by Motorola in 2016, two months after that company was awarded one of three main contracts for ESN. The TETRA service has been extended pending availability of the ESN system, with Airwave being paid around £450million ($612million) per year to continue providing the service. Last October, the Competitions and Markets Authority announced an investigation the company’s dual role in the two programmes. The publication of the final report of the investigation is due in June. According to a report published in May 2019 by the National Audit Office, the ESN programme was then more than £3bn ($4bn) over budget.

 

The ESN Gateway will be a vital transitional technology for emergency-service operators who use Frequentis's LifeX platform. (Frequentis)

Related Posts

Publish date

02/03/2022

Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date.

News

Air

C4ISR

Components / Systems

Cyber

Defence Business

Homeland Security

International Security

Land

Latin America (Spanish)

Logistics

Naval

Training & Simulation

Space

Special Forces

Unmanned

Publications

Contact Us

Contact Info

Mönch Verlagsgesellschaft mbH
Christine-Demmer-Straße 7
53474 Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler

+49 2641 3703 – 0

+49 2641 3703 - 199

Follow On

X