Almost nine in 10 UK emergency services technology decision-makers believe 5G connectivity is critical to the future effectiveness of frontline services, yet many organisations continue to rely on unreliable in-vehicle connectivity that risks slowing emergency response and limiting access to critical operational data, according to new research from Ericsson.
The report found that 88 percent of respondents believe 5G will play a critical role in supporting emergency services, but adoption remains at an early stage. Just 22 percent said their organisations currently use 5G routers in emergency vehicles, while 44 percent still rely on mobile hotspots to maintain connectivity on the move.
Legacy connectivity limiting frontline operations
Ericsson’s research suggests many emergency services are struggling to support increasingly data-intensive operational tools with existing connectivity infrastructure.
Only 24 percent of respondents described their current in-vehicle connectivity as reliable. The company said this affects the ability of frontline crews to use technologies including body-worn cameras, real-time vehicle and personnel tracking, live video streaming, and drone or aerial surveillance.
According to the report, unreliable connectivity can also prevent commanders from accessing a complete operational picture during incidents, potentially delaying decision-making in time-critical situations.
Legacy connectivity is also having an impact on frontline staff. More than a third (35 percent) of respondents said poor connectivity was reducing morale among emergency responders, while 29 percent believed it was undermining staff safety.
The report also highlights operational complexity as a barrier to modernisation, with 32 percent saying managing multiple connectivity devices is already too complex.
Calls for more resilient mobile networks
Ericsson argues that enterprise-grade connectivity, including dual-SIM in-vehicle routers capable of switching between mobile networks, could improve resilience by maintaining connectivity in challenging environments and enabling crews to access and share operational information in real time.
Graham Everington, regional sales manager, Blue Light at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, said: “When frontline responders can’t upload video from the scene or view building plans in real time, they’re effectively working with one hand tied behind their back. Connectivity isn’t about faster data for its own sake – it’s about making sure every call handler, dispatcher and responder has the clearest possible picture when lives are on the line. In-vehicle 5G routers provide this and are at a point where it is simple to set up and can provide the resilience and speed these vital workers need, from city centres to the most remote communities.”
The findings are published in Ericsson’s Sector in focus: State of in-vehicle connectivity in the UK’s emergency services report, which examines the readiness of UK blue light organisations to support increasingly connected frontline operations.
