EMERGENCY SERVICES NETWORK

When every second counts, you need a connection that adds up. That's why the Home Office chose us to build the critical 4G voice and data network for Britain's Emergency Services.

Over 300,000 service users across the Police, Fire & Rescue, and Ambulance services benefit from 4G voice and data services provided by the Emergency Services Network (ESN).

The country's emergency services get access to cutting-edge communication technology, so they can respond quickly to incidents in even the most rural and remote areas.

Helping heroes get to work

Through use of the EE network, the ESN can provide resilient and secure mission-critical communications to Britain’s emergency services.

Our network helps:

• ambulances sending vital patient data to hospitals so staff can prepare for a patient’s arrival
• police officers recording an arrest on body cams and live streaming for assessment and support
• fire and rescue crews assessing burning buildings based on digital blueprints on tablets and live helicopter camera footage

With you every step of the way

We’re constantly improving our network to support critical communications for the ESN. We’ve done lots already, including:

• Building a new dedicated, core network just for the Emergency Services
• Expanding coverage in rural areas, with over 650 new sites and more to come
• Upgrading around 19,500 of EE’s existing sites, ready for ESN. Including switching on low frequency 800MHz spectrum to enhance rural and indoor coverage
• Giving Emergency Services users priority network access when needed
• VoLTE (calls over 4G) and new LTE voice capabilities including ‘push to talk’ now possible
• Rolled out a fleet of Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) and Rapid Response Cells (RRCs) to maintain maximum network service availability
• Implementing satellite backhaul for Britain’s hardest-to-reach areas

4G where it’s needed most

The ESN is built on our award-winning 4G network, voted the best in the UK for the ninth year in a row with 4G in more places.

We’re helping extend ESN coverage into selected buildings, road tunnels and railway facilities in the most efficient way.

And thanks to the UK Government’s Extended Area Services (EAS) programme, new masts are being built in the most remote and rural areas of the country. These connect into EE’s 4G network to form a seamless part of the ESN. We’re also supporting the Government to achieve its coverage ambitions with the Shared Rural Network industry collaboration.

The general public benefits too. Every month, hundreds more 999 calls are becoming possible in areas that previously had no mobile coverage, saving lives and keeping communities safe.