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Emergency Services Network Progression

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emergency services network progression

Twelve Emergency Services Network sites have advanced to “build stage” after receiving the go-ahead. We summarise this and take a look at how Westbase.io are already helping services to take advantage of 4G LTE today.

ESN's EAS

The deployment of the Emergency Services Network (ESN) will leverage the current 4G LTE network, but to maximise coverage in harder to reach places, investments are being made in more rural areas, and areas that require special coverage such as road tunnels and railway facilities (including the London Underground). Do achieve this, approximately 292 EAS (Extended Area Service) sites will be built.

12 new EAS (Extended Area Services) project sites have recently progressed to build stage and testing in specific areas such as the London Underground have also begun, with a 4G pilot test taking place in the underground tunnels to ensure maximum coverage for the emergency services in the event of an incident.

4G LTE and Emergency Services Today

While the Emergency Services Network will see all emergency communications shift to 4G LTE, Westbase.io already works with many UK and European services – helping them to leverage the benefits of 4G LTE in the field today. With 1000s of emergency service vehicles connected and countless hours of installation experience, we are the most experienced European provider of 4G LTE in-vehicle networks.

Emergency services in the field rely heavily on the ability to access accurate information so they can respond swiftly and efficiently to a situation. To support this, we are helping services to deploy rapid WiFi hotspots in and around vehicles using 4G LTE, so teams can connect to central systems from the field. As well as providing them with access to the information they need, such solutions also allow teams to update system information from the field, saving them valuable time and keeping them on the road where they can be most productive. In addition to providing a mobile WiFi hotspot, our leading routing solutions can connect other applications such as:

  • Body-worn cameras
  • AVLS
  • Asset tracking
  • In-vehicle CCTV
  • And more.

What Will ESN Bring to In-Vehicle Connectivity Solutions?

Once ESN is fully functional and operating, these existing solutions will become even more beneficial. Enabling an improved overview and management of operations, ESN will re-align and bolster current networking solutions, overall improving response times and reducing cost.

In our portfolio today, Cradlepoint’s COR IBR1700 and IBR900 were the first 4G LTE in-vehicle routers to be certified for use on ESN, and are already commonly found within emergency service fleets. In addition to these, Cradlepoint’s new CAT 18 version of the IBR1700, which will deliver gigabit LTE, is due later this year and has been designed as an ESN-ready device. Sierra Wireless’ popular AirLink MP70 and MG90 devices are also ESN-ready and currently undergoing the approval process.

Westbase.io work with our channel partners to deliver in-vehicle solutions to emergency services that improve their on-the-road capabilities. We represent the leading vendors in this market and have extensive experience; we also enable our customers to continue their communications investments by delivering solutions which can be upgraded in the field. This means that services can take advantage of the benefits of cellular networking today, while easily being able to connect to the Emergency Services Network when it becomes available without having to completely replace their solution.

Find out more

To find out more, take a look at our emergency services solutions pages or our dedicated in-vehicle connectivity and ESN page. You can also contact a member of our team on +44 (0) 1291 437 567 or hello@westbase.io.

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