INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
implementing the 4G-powered Emergency Services Network (ESN).A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) noted that the project is now 18
savings.ESN delaysIn addition to being considerably cheaper to run than Airwave, the ESN will allow police forces, firefighters and
ambulance crews to access data-rich applications that can improve service.The ESN is due to go live at the end of 2019 with more than
However, the project has been subject to frequent delays and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has frequently expressed concerns that
early as 2017 but this deadline was missed, and the target has been described as too ambitious
The concern is that without time for sufficient testing, public safety could be put at risk.The Home Office has stated it has contingency
plans in place and is adamant there will be no switch-off of the Airwave system until it is confident that it is safe to do so
Motorola has already said it expects to the Airwave contract to be extended for at least another five years.TheIndianSubcontinent Pro
understands that this is till the case and that Airwave will not be switched off until the Home Office is satisfied there is no risk
whatsoever to public safety
Meanwhile, the ESN programme has gone under a review since the last PAC hearing, the results of which will be revealed by the Home Office in
due course.It had even been suggested that ESN could be scrapped, although a more realistic course of action is an incremental rollout of
and to develop a core system to support the ESN, while long range 800MHz spectrum will be deployed at 3,500 locations
The network will be able to prioritise ESN traffic when required and the firm will introduce satellite backhaul for hard to reach areas
The tube in London will also be covered.
