The United Kingdom has partnered with CGI to strengthen emergency communications across England, Scotland and Wales.
The U.K. government’s Home Office awarded the global IT and business consulting firm with a five-year contract valued at $59.6 million.
The acquisition is part of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program, which aims to modernize the nation’s Emergency Services Network.
As a technology delivery partner, CGI will provide the U.K. with a new critical communications system to support fire, ambulance and police services.
The ESN is expected to deliver cost efficiency and streamline communication among those facilitating first response.
The upcoming system will also give police officers, firefighters, and medical personnel access to a fast, reliable and secure 4G network to send and receive life-saving data, images and information on the ground.
“The emergency services network will provide Britain’s first responders with critical communications technology that will give them up-to-date voice and data communications in emergency situations, helping to keep the public safe,” said John Black, program director for ESMCP at CGI.
According to the U.K. government, over 300,000 frontline emergency service providers rely on the ESN.
