As part of the transition from the TETRA based emergency services radio network, Airwave, to the new wireless broadband ESN, Frequentis must provide an ESN Gateway for mission critical services (MCX).
According to the company, 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.
Frequentis is working directly with the Home Office on the transition to ESN and claimed that the development of the gateway will ensure that control room operators “have access to a fully approved and easy to use interface into ESN when Airwave is discontinued and during the transition”.
Andy Madge, managing director of Frequentis UK, 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.”
“LifeX has been designed to allow emergency services operators to maximise the benefits of multimedia communications, and when next generation 999 (NG999) becomes a standard it will also allow members of the public to share images and videos of incidents that can be analysed in real-time.”
Previous testing has included group call, private call (in/out), ambient listening, status messages, emergency calls, text messages and broadcast. With Network Approval Testing Service certification for the ESN Beta feature set having now been completed, Frequentis said its next stage will be to install and test the gateway within the Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP).
The development of the ESN gateway is being supported by Nemergent.
