30.06.17

Testing & data collection on 4G LTE smooths the transition onto the ESN

The Background

To support its future transition onto the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), the customer needed to gauge the real service quality of its actual 4G LTE coverage.

The Challenge

The government first announced plans to transition to a new emergency services network in 2011 and all emergency services have a target for completing the transition to the Emergency Services Network (ESN) by December 2019. The new ESN will provide emergency services with a cheaper, faster and more sophisticated communications system.

Before transitioning onto the new communication network, emergency services need to ensure that the 4G LTE network is fit for purpose and has suitable operational coverage. Ensuring that staff are contactable across their regions has important duty of care implications for both members of the public and employees.

The Solution

The customer wanted to collect data on the quality of the 4G LTE network across its region. The customer deployed Telent’s Coverage testing units into a number of its operational vehicles. Once connected to a power source in the vehicle, the unobtrusive units started collecting data as soon as the vehicle was switched on and a GPS location was secured. Each unit then took measurements about the network functionality as staff drove around the region as part of their usual job. The data was then automatically collected and analysed by Telent, who then presented insights back to the customer via an online portal, which was kept constantly up to date.

The data unearthed network ‘black spots’ which would have been undetected had customer vehicles not been carrying out the testing. As a result, Telent’s Coverage solution has helped the customer to proactively
engage with the 4G LTE network provider. This will help ensure a smooth transition onto the ESN in the future.

The Benefits

4G LTE network map: the Coverage service has provided 4G LTE network information to the customer to inform the operator about areas of network strength and weakness. This means that proactive network improvements can be made to ensure staff are not exposed to ‘black spots’.

Test and verify the network: Telent’s Coverage service has provided the customer with information about the state of the 4G LTE communication network. This service has allowed it to proactively monitor its region and track problems as maintenance issues arise.

Cloud based autonomous collection: the Coverage monitoring equipment was installed across the fleet of operational vehicles and collected data autonomously, without the need for any intervention from emergency services staff. Data was transmitted to the cloud throughout journeys, providing secure storage and a historic data repository.

Real-time network stats: the continuous stream of data, which is automatically processed and analysed, means Telent’s web-based portal is always up-to-date. This allows the customer to concentrate on protectingthe public, while Telent proactively monitors the 4G LTE infrastructure which its staff will rely on in the future.

ESN adoption testing: in the future, the Coverage service will allow the customer to ensure that the ESN is fit for purpose and has operationally suitable coverage. This will arm it with the data needed to know when it is safe to switch off the TETRA radio network and fully move onto the ESN.

Testimonial

As Telent’s partner, Metricell provides technology that allows the Emergency Services to transparently measure the coverage, capacity, capability and resilience of the 4G LTE commercial network across the UK. The insights that can be captured about the network will allow the Home Office and the network provider to confirm all aspects of actual signal coverage and service performance across each transition region. Early testing and data collection will help smooth the future transition onto the ESN.”

Steve Mockford
Chief Executive Officer Metricell


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