Capita announces today that it has secured a contract with Transport for London (TfL) to design and deliver key elements of the network infrastructure that will underpin the upcoming Emergency Services Network (ESN) throughout the London Underground.
ESN is a programme led and directly funded by the Home Office to deliver a new emergency services mobile communications solution across the UK.
The design and delivery of the network infrastructure which underpins ESN for the London Underground is worth £23.5m over 12 months.
ESN will replace the existing Airwave network in the UK to provide faster and more resilient network connectivity across all emergency services communications’ channels – for police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services – and will work independently from public mobile phone networks.
The scope of the contract includes the design, installation and testing of network cables in tunnels as well as installation and testing of ‘local area network’ infrastructure on platforms and in stations. The new network infrastructure will support future ESN mobile connectivity in the London Underground.
Once ‘live’, the ESN will provide mobile connectivity services, including 4G, to enable emergency services teams throughout the London Underground environment to communicate. The infrastructure that Capita is delivering will be used by mobile network provider EE to enable emergency services to operate efficiently across London Underground.
Mark Cook, executive officer of Capita’s Technology Solutions division, said: “We are working closely with TfL to design and deliver this bespoke network infrastructure to prepare London Underground for when the ESN becomes available. Delivering creative solutions to complex situations is at the heart of what we do.”
