Shared Rural Network

Unfortunately another accident out on the Scottish mountains, but thanks to having coverage, they were able to call for help, then be sent a text with a link, which when clicked sends their location to the Police and Mountain Rescue. In this instance Sarloc™ was able to pinpoint their location to within 5m! This technology not only helps teams locate people quicker, often in time sensitive situations, it reduces the resources needed as part of the call out, saving on rescue team costs and man hours searching for the caller. Well done to all involved in the rescue! STV News: https://lnkd.in/ezUhibmE

📺 The second series of Highland Cops started last night on the BBC. The show is a reminder of how important emergency services are in our rural areas. Whether it’s reporting a lost hillwalker, investigating drug use, or calling for help when trying to help a stranded cormorant, connectivity is vital to a wide range of policing activities. If you didn’t see it last night, catch up on BBC iPlayer here: https://lnkd.in/eeJV4Ac2

Last week we posted about the importance of being prepared when you head out into the hills, but accidents do happen. In The Times at the weekend there was an article recalling the first hand experience of a climber who took a nasty fall and is quoted as saying "Mercifully we had mobile phone reception." when needing to call for help. Increased 4G connectivity in rural and remote areas is crucial for rescue operations. The Shared Rural Network programme will help provide connectivity in many areas where there is no coverage at all, meaning vital 999 calls can be made for the first time. https://lnkd.in/eC-wVzMH

It was a busy Tuesday afternoon this week for Assynt Mountain Rescue Team after being called out to help an injured walker on Cul Mor in the Scottish Highlands. Thankfully they were airlifted to safety following a fantastic team effort from all involved in the rescue. As the rollout of the Shared Rural Network progresses, it is great to see the local Community Council in Assynt showing their support for the SRN and the goal of providing connectivity to rural and remote areas of northwest Scotland. #MountainRescue #Rescue #Connectivity #BetterRuralConnected #Mobile #4G

Excellent news today that there are now 20 Extended Area Service (EAS) masts live that have been delivered as part of the Shared Rural Network! UK Government funding is being made available to the Home Office and mobile network operators to upgrade EAS masts being built as part of the Emergency Services Network (ESN) to make them usable by the four MNOs to offer commercial connectivity as well as emergency services coverage. You can see how many EAS masts are part of the SRN, broken down by nation and progress status on our website here: https://lnkd.in/eh9e-GEb

As the weather starts to turn and we move into the winter months, it’s important to be prepared if you are heading out to the mountains. Be sure to follow relevant safety guidance and advice before setting off, but if you do get into trouble, call 999 and ask for ‘Police’ then ‘Mountain Rescue’. Increased 4G connectivity in rural and remote areas is crucial for rescue operations. It facilitates potentially life-saving rescues by enabling better communication and location tracking. The Shared Rural Network programme will help provide connectivity in many areas where there is no coverage at all, meaning vital 999 calls can be made for the first time and facilitate the use of life saving technology like SARLOC™. Scottish Mountain Rescue advice (SCO) https://lnkd.in/enHm8BQQ Mountain Rescue England and Wales advice (ENG & WAL): https://lnkd.in/ehZ-HSds Mourne Mountain Rescue advice (NI) https://lnkd.in/eASs-rUb North West Mountain Rescue Team advice (NI) https://lnkd.in/eTCDuKBf

Coverage from SRN mobile masts is making a difference to those out on the water as well as those on land. It's great to see the story of Iain, a fisherman from Skye who we've previously posted about, in The Press and Journal last week. Read about how the new coverage from an SRN EE mast in Mallaig has been life changing for him: https://lnkd.in/eiwcM8sx

Did you see Sir Chris Bryant's speech at Connected Britain last week? If not, no problem, you can read the full transcript online via the link below. It was great to see the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms show his continued support for the Shared Rural Network and press the importance of digital infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/d5cSZbEm

As work on reducing the number of partial not spots across the country draws to a close, BDUK has published a policy paper, summarising the different elements of the Shared Rural Network programme and the progress to date. Read the paper on the UK Government website here: https://lnkd.in/eGkfXCyg

Bryn Jones, SRN Programme Director at DMSL, features in the latest RICS Land Journal. The piece summarises the SRN programme and progress to date, recognising the hard work and efforts made from RICS members involved in the Shared Rural Network. https://lnkd.in/ehA-V4BP