Press Release
In November 2019 Handsfree Group were down selected by the Home Office under 4G LTE Framework Agreement as one of two approved suppliers to deliver fixed vehicle technology and accessories for the deployment of the ESN (Emergency Services Network) contract. The ESN will eventually fully replace the current existing TETRA Airwave System. This was achieved in conjunction with our key strategic Hardware provider Advantech (Main Unit Hardware supplier) and our other strategic partner pei tel (accessories).
The project mandate is to install 40,000 plus Fixed Vehicle Devices (FVD) into the UK Emergency Service Vehicles with a contract value of around GBP £140m. The ESN contract will provide a new modern mission critical communication system across the three emergency services of Police, Fire, Ambulance and other User Operators (UOs). Our new R5 ESN fixed vehicle solution will utilise the 4G LTE network significantly improving the quality, consistency and coverage on the existing Airwave system.
Our R5 ESN Fixed Vehicle Device Solution has been developed in association with the Home Office under a Framework Agreement and subsequent ‘Call Off’ arrangements. The ESN solution consists of an exclusive and powerful Control Unit, linking to a choice of intuitive User Interfaces which are flexible and programmable, so emergency service teams can add functionality on-demand such as extra terminals, multiple handsets, Push-to-talk, camera view and telematics.
Matthew Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Handsfree Group said: “A key benefit of this alliance will be the synergies created through shared expertise. Our Installation partners are the UK’s leading vehicle technology installers, providing vehicle installation services to the UK’s largest fleets. Our partners have worked on mission critical blue light projects across the UK and all engineers deployed, will be FITAS accredited and FCS 1362 approved and provide significant experience across a range of vehicle technology installations.”
Finally, Handsfree Group have the expert ESN Division at Handsfree Group which is a specialist single-point destination supporting first response clients including Police, Ambulance and Fire services with adaptable vehicle technology solutions.
