IP infrastructure rollout faces uneven progress and technical hurdles
By the close of 2027, every EU member state and participating nations must transition their emergency communications systems to IP-based infrastructure. This shift will enable the deployment of NG112, the next-generation emergency number platform that has been in development for several years. The modernisation promises significant operational improvements, yet questions remain about whether the emergency services sector can adapt to the new technical architecture and working practices required.
According to research from Mobile Europe titled Advancing location intelligence for emergency services in Europe, the rollout of various technologies across the continent is proceeding unevenly, with some regions moving at a glacial pace. A critical gap exists: numerous European nations are not even meeting basic reporting obligations, failing to supply the foundational data needed for public safety answering points (PSAPs) to communicate with one another across borders.
The transition to NG112 has exposed unresolved technical complications with certain systems, including VoLTE under specific conditions, which could jeopardise operators' ability to comply with updated Next Generation eCall rules taking effect in early 2026. Adding to the challenge, widespread uncertainty persists regarding regulatory duties and the choices available to service providers.
The Mobile Europe report investigates which technologies deliver accurate location data and how precision is improving alongside growing complexity. It assesses technology adoption rates across Europe, reviews the existing regulatory landscape, identifies what operators must accomplish to meet compliance deadlines, and highlights outstanding technical obstacles.
UK case demonstrates real-world risks of location data failures
This week, UK regulator Ofcom sanctioned broadband operator Gigaclear for failing to furnish precise location information on nearly 1,000 emergency calls. The watchdog determined the failures created an "unacceptable risk" to public safety.
Gigaclear was ordered to pay £122,500 following breaches involving caller location data for calls routed to 999 or 112 between January 2022 and March 2024. The failures stemmed from data problems affecting calls transmitted through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Although no members of the public were harmed, Ofcom judged the regulatory violation serious enough to impose the substantial fine.
George Lusty, Ofcom's Enforcement Director, stressed the critical importance of accurate emergency location data: "Providing the emergency services with accurate location data can mean the difference between life and death. So it's vital that telecoms companies set up their systems correctly and test them thoroughly to make sure this happens. We won't hesitate to hold companies to account, and Gigaclear fell short on a number of basic levels, putting its customers at unacceptable risk for a prolonged period of time."
As emergency services gain access to expanded information sources through technological advancement, network operators must ensure their systems evolve accordingly to maintain public safety.
