Madrid public safety agencies will be able to tap into a network slice on Orange’s 5G Standalone (SA) network in Madrid, run on Ericsson Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core. The intention is to provide dedicated network resources for emergency services and ensure ‘low latency and traffic differentiation’ over commercial traffic.
It uses Ericsson Ultra Compact Core (UCC) and radios that connect to Orange’s 5G SA public network or to the Madrid city dedicated emergency spectrum (Band 68), depending on the situation. This will come with a capability that allows for rapid deployment and relocation as needed, we’re told.
It also promises to deliver autonomy and uninterrupted communication for the region’s emergency responders when public network is unavailable or when ground infrastructures are potentially damaged. “The architecture is designed with autonomous energy and redundancy to maximize resilience and guarantee continuity of critical communications in challenging conditions,” we’re told.
By way of example, we’re told firefighting teams will be able to stream real-time video from helmet-mounted cameras or rapid-response vehicles, giving the command centre live images from inside buildings or hard-to-access areas. This capability “supports immediate risk assessment, victim location, and informed decision-making, while the network’s low latency and high availability keep audiovisual communications stable even during congestion or infrastructure damage,” states the release.
“Our partnership with Orange shows how industry collaboration and cutting‑edge 5G can transform urban public safety,” said Somaya El Marrakchi, head of Business Development for Mission Critical Networks, Ericsson Europe, Middle East & Africa.”By combining Ericsson’s mission-critical solutions with Orange’s 5G Standalone network and network slicing, we deliver secure, low‑latency and high‑availability communications to keep emergency responders connected when it matters most. We are proud to support Madrid emergency services modernization and to provide a resilient, scalable model that can be replicated to protect communities across Spain and beyond.”
Joaquín Colino, General Director of B2B at MasOrange added: "This project marks a milestone in the modernization of emergency services in Spain, as it guarantees secure and uninterrupted communications in the most demanding scenarios and places Madrid at the forefront of European innovation in the service of public safety. We are committed to offering robust, scalable solutions that are ready to save lives, thereby reinforcing our role as a strategic ally of public administrations."
Over in the UK, Ericsson earlier this year teamed up with UK Connect to provide upgraded connectivity solutions to Surrey Search and Rescue, who were previously often relying on paper maps. The project saw Ericsson provide hybrid WAN connectivity solutions through UK Connect’s SARNET (Search & Rescue Network), which they said at the time helps improve response times and survival outcomes.
