EE, part of BT Group, has signed an agreement with Nokia to build 4G LTE Air-to-Ground network for the emergency services across Great Britain.
The new 4G network will enable uninterrupted broadband coverage for emergency service personnel working above ground from 500 feet up to 10,000 feet.

EE and Nokia will enable mission-critical network coverage for emergency services that will be the world’s first use case utilising commercial 4G LTE broadband services in its field.

The 4G LTE Air-to-Ground network will provide connectivity between ground operations and air, connecting people, sensors, aircraft and helicopters with the highest security and reliability.

EE said over 300,000 emergency service personnel will benefit from the Emergency Services Network (ESN) designed to facilitate coverage allowing emergency services the capability to communicate with their airborne colleagues.

EE will provide the active network equipment for a full reference facility, and an initial seven site trial network. EE will deploy the network equipment in over 80 Home Office acquired cell sites across the UK.

Finland-based Nokia will provide design support, network equipment, installation and commissioning services to ensure timely delivery of the ESN 4G LTE Air-to-Ground network.

The first trial of the 4G LTE Air-to-Ground network will take place in North Wales and London.

“Our deployment of this reinforces our network leadership as the UK’s biggest and fastest mobile network, and harnesses Nokia’s deep expertise in network equipment and installation of an Air-to-Ground solution,” says Richard Harrap, managing director ESN at EE.

“This project and its deployment are an example of the type of innovative solutions Nokia, together with our customers, can provide to the public sector,” says Cormac Whelan, CEO UK & Ireland at Nokia.