Accident eCall: Network operators activate Next Generation eCall for LTE
The Europe-wide emergency call system for vehicles is now operational in Germany on 4G and 5G networks. GSM networks will be switched off soon.
In the event of accidents, cars are supposed to report the vehicle type, fuel, time of accident, vehicle position, direction of travel, and number of seatbelts fastened to the rescue services via eCall
(Image: Erich Kasten/Pixelio.de)
The three major German mobile network operators launched the new Next Generation eCall emergency call function for vehicles on Saturday. This means the system, originally set up in the GSM network (2G), now operates in the LTE network (4G) and prospectively also with 5G. This was announced jointly by Vodafone, O2 TelefĂłnica, and Telekom.
With eCall, cars automatically establish a connection to the emergency call center in the event of an accident and transmit location and vehicle data. Manual activation is also possible. The system works throughout Europe. Since 2018, new vehicles must be equipped with eCall.
Parallel operation with GSM
Many older vehicles are still equipped with systems for GSM networks, whose time is running out. European network operators have already begun to switch off their GSM networks. Until then, eCall and NG eCall will run in parallel.
Deutsche Telekom will switch off its GSM network in 2028. This year, Vodafone will also begin the decommissioning, which is expected to last until 2030. TelefĂłnica Deutschland has not yet announced a date.
From January 1, 2026, newly developed passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will only receive type approval in the EU if their onboard emergency call system uses 4G/5G. From 2027, no new vehicles without NG eCall will be allowed to be registered.
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More data throughput
The old system could only send a data packet of 140 bytes. NG eCall removes this limitation. In the future, more extensive accident data can be transmitted, such as data from various sensors or the impact speed.
The fourth German mobile network operator 1&1 will not yet offer the new emergency call system, as it has not yet entered into a contract with any car manufacturer for fleet SIM cards. As soon as corresponding partnerships are established, 1&1 also intends to implement NG eCall.
(vbr)
