State agrees improved communications system with telecoms firms for first responders

The national roaming arrangement with eir, Three Ireland and Vodafone is designed to carry live video, mapping, imagery and data along with voice and short text messaging

Under the new arrangement, compatible devices and applications used by first responders can connect to whichever participating mobile network is available, rather than relying on a single operator. File picture: Chani Anderson

A new national roaming arrangement has been agreed that will strengthen mobile communications for Ireland's emergency services.

The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has put in place a national roaming arrangement across all three mobile network operators, eir, Three Ireland and Vodafone for "mission-critical communications" used by first responders.

Under the new arrangement, compatible devices and applications used by first responders can connect to whichever participating mobile network is available, rather than relying on a single operator. 

A government statement said this "will provide greater resilience if one network is unavailable or experiencing disruption" and the arrangement will support organisations including An Garda Síochána, the fire services, the National Ambulance Service and Civil Defence.

For over two decades, Ireland's emergency services have relied on TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), a narrowband digital radio system built for voice and short text messaging. 

While TETRA has served frontline responders reliably for voice communications, it was never designed to carry live video, mapping, imagery and data.

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Over the coming months, first responders will begin testing the new functionality in operational environments. The testing programme will be co-ordinated by Civil Defence in partnership with OGCIO and participating agencies.

Speaking at the Ploughing Championships, minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, said: "This new national roaming arrangement will help ensure that emergency personnel can maintain access to critical information and communications services, regardless of which mobile network is available at a particular location.

"It is a practical improvement that will strengthen resilience, support public safety and help prepare Ireland's emergency services for the next generation of critical communication technologies."

• Paul Hosford, deputy political editor