Manx Telecom : Revolutionary mobile/satellite comms system debuts at UK Emergency Services Show

Revolutionary mobile/satellite comms system debuts at UK Emergency Services Show

A new system which will revolutionize communications for first responders will make its public debut at the leading expo for UK emergency services on 21- 22 September. The First Responder Auxiliary Network (FRAN) has been developed by Manx Telecom and Globalstar, a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Utilizing the combined benefits of Globalstar's satellite network and Manx Telecom's SIM technology, FRAN offers significant advantages over existing communications systems used by UK emergency services. For example, during severe storms in the UK in 2015, several emergency services experienced communications problems due to damage caused to mobile network infrastructure. In a similar scenario, FRAN would offer robust and resilient communications solution by being able to switch between mobile and satellite networks.

FRAN provides a highly reliable communications service for users as when the signal level starts to fail on one mobile network, the user's call is automatically handed over to another mobile network that's in range. If no mobile network is in range, the call is switched to satellite. As a result, calls can be made even in the UK's remotest locations. FRAN makes its public debut at the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham where UK first responders will be able to see how this breakthrough technology enables them to use their own Wi-Fi devices and existing phone numbers. Field trials of FRAN are scheduled to begin soon.

Simon Taylor, Business Development Manager for Manx Telecom's Global Solutions division, commented, 'Satellite communications, combined with Manx Telecom's flexible SIM technology, can provide much-needed balance and backup to the emergency communications architecture and dramatically increase overall reliability. We are confident that FRAN can uniquely provide emergency services personnel with communications networks they can rely on, wherever they are, 24/7.'

Gavan Murphy, Director of Marketing at Globalstar Europe, said: 'FRAN transforms how emergency services communicate. They now have an alternative communications network that is reliable, anywhere, anytime. Since Globalstar and Manx Telecom first announced FRAN in April 2016, we have been working with customers to ensure this service meets the needs of all personnel, whether they are on the front line or in the back-office.'

For more information about the Emergency Services Show go to http://www.emergencyuk.com