Emergency services in the UK are still operating with unreliable and unsecure in-vehicle connectivity that risks slowing response times and impacting frontline effectiveness, hindering the adoption of new technology such as real-time tracking of vehicles, live video streaming and drone operations, according to research from Ericsson.
The comms tech provider’s Sector in focus: State of in-vehicle connectivity in the UK’s emergency services report is the result of research conducted by Opinion Matters among 500 UK-based technology decision-makers working in blue light organisations – that is police, fire and rescue, the ambulance service, search and rescue, and the coastguard. Data was collected between 6 and 13 February 2026.
The fundamental finding is that legacy connectivity solutions are failing to meet the demands of current frontline workers. This is having a direct effect on emergency responders, with 35% admitting that poor connectivity is reducing morale among frontline staff, while 29% believe it is undermining safety. As a result, highly trained and expensive-to-replace staff are more likely to seek work elsewhere.
According to the research, 5G connectivity is seen as essential to improving the future effectiveness of emergency services, but unreliable connectivity solutions are severely affecting emergency responders’ ability to conduct their jobs effectively.
Even though as many as 88% of first responders regard 5G as critical to their roles, just 24% have what they consider reliable connectivity. In addition, just 22% are currently using 5G routers, while 44% still rely on mobile hotspots to stay connected on the move.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents state their connectivity is only somewhat reliable, meaning they cannot effectively use data-heavy critical tools, including body-worn cameras, real-time tracking of vehicles or personnel, live video streaming and drones/aerial surveillance. Just under a third of IT teams find managing multiple devices too complex.
All of this means commanders are being deprived of being able to access the full operational view of any situation, said Ericsson, and leads to unacceptable delays in responding to crises where even a few seconds can make the difference in preventing crime, protecting communities or ensuring best patient outcomes.
In terms of solutions to the problem, Ericsson pointed to resilient solutions such as dual-SIM in-vehicle routers, which it said could address these challenges by providing fast and reliable connectivity, maintaining performance even in hazardous environments.
Such technologies, it assured, could enable responders to access and share critical information in real time, improving coordination and decision-making when it matters most.
“When frontline responders can’t upload video from the scene or view building plans in real time, they’re effectively working with one hand tied behind their back,” said Graham Everington, regional sales manager for blue light at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions.
“Connectivity isn’t about faster data for its own sake – it’s about making sure every call handler, dispatcher and responder has the clearest possible picture when lives are on the line. In-vehicle 5G routers provide this and are at a point where it is simple to set up and can provide the resilience and speed these vital workers need,” he added.
