Агентство космічних технологій Великої Британії (UKSA), acting on behalf of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (ESMCP), officially proposed the integration of direct satellite connection technology (D2D) to the devices of the national network of emergency services (ESN). This move is aimed at using constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO) to eliminate gaps in the ground cover.
The ESN network is designed to replace the outdated TETRA-based Airwave radio system with a modern 4G/5G platform, provided by EE (BT Group). Хоча наземна інфраструктура охоплює більшість населення, significant "blind spots" remain in rural and coastal areas. With D2D technology, UKSA hopes to provide emergency services with seamless communication using standard smartphones, eliminating the need for dedicated satellite phones or external antennas. Integration is focused on critical messages, SMS and location data in remote areas. in addition, provision is made for future high-speed video and voice over LTE via satellites as constellations evolve. Provision of redundant duplication of terrestrial mobile towers during network failures or natural disasters will be a key component of the project.
As of today, the expansion of ESN is already ready to be supported by such big players in the space industry, like SpaceX (Starlink), AST SpaceMobile and Eutelsat OneWeb. In particular, BT Group (parent company EE) signed an agreement on broadband access with Starlink in 2025 year, making them a favorite for any ESN satellite expansion. Meanwhile, AST, in partnership with Vodafone Group, plans to provide "intermittent nationwide" service to LEO in 2026 year, with continuous maintenance following the deployment of additional BlueBird satellites.
UK-backed operator LEO is also developing D2D capabilities to complement existing enterprise and government broadband offerings.
The Home Office is in the final stages of a £1.11 billion framework agreement for the devices, compatible with ESN, which is planned to be allocated in the summer 2026 year. These devices, probably, will be the first, that will have integrated roaming capabilities between satellite and terrestrial communications, which are currently being investigated by the UKSA.
Source: https://news.satnews.com