TMCnet News

New emergency calls service 'may put lives at risk' [Derby Evening Telegraph (England)]
[March 24, 2014]

New emergency calls service 'may put lives at risk' [Derby Evening Telegraph (England)]


(Derby Evening Telegraph (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE boss of a Derby communications firm has criticised the Home Office's plans to replace the radio systems used by public safety organisations. The Government is looking to introduce a new service called the Emergency Services Network, based on the mobile phone network.



But Mike Norfield, chief executive of TTG, believes adopting the system could put lives at risk because the mobile network can get swamped with calls and collapse during an emergency. His firm, in Uttoxeter Old Road, produces critical communication technology that does not rely on the mobile network. Mr Norfield, a former police radio engineer, said: "Emergency calls must be able to override other network traffic.

"Running public safety networks over consumer networks could be disastrous." (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]