• IBM has been selected as the supplier for a major new network to provide communications for emergency services
• As a core partner of IBM, Frequentis will deliver solutions for the Emergency Services Network (ESN)
• The ESN will coordinate the work and responses of frontline workers to make UK roads safer and support the UK government’s implementation of the Plan for Change
• 300,000 personnel will benefit from data, images, location reports and voice communications

The emergency services will benefit from a new communications network (3GPP MCX Services) that will modernise the way they work together, as the UK government has announced a new partnership with IBM, following a series of delays by previous suppliers.

The Emergency Services Network (ESN) will support more than 300,000 emergency responders in the UK by providing them with better technology and faster access to data in emergency situations and during on-site operations.

Police, fire and ambulance crews will be able to share live data and images, location reports and critical public safety information while carrying out time-critical rescue and relief operations.

IBM will implement the project together with several partners, including Frequentis, Samsung Electronics, Ericsson, Exponential-E and Palo Alto Networks.

‘We are proud to support the Emergency Services Network in providing a secure and robust communications platform that helps emergency services in the field,’ said Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting UK and Ireland. ’Working with our ecosystem partners, we will provide mission-critical services for emergency responders to help keep our communities across the UK safer. We look forward to working with government to deliver this project in a timely and cost-effective manner.’

Led by the UK Home Office, ESN will introduce the next generation of fast, secure and protected voice, video and data communications that will enable the emergency services to collaborate and coordinate their efforts in protecting and helping citizens. Similar technologies have already been successfully implemented in countries such as the United States, Canada, and South Korea.

‘We are very pleased to be working with IBM and the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme to provide user services solutions for the Emergency Services Network,’ says Robert Nitsch, Frequentis Vice President Public Safety.