The GSMA, the body representing the worldwide mobile communications industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure the deployment of a single, in-vehicle emergency call service, known as eCall, across Europe.
eCall is an emergency call generated either manually by vehicle occupants or automatically via in-vehicle sensors in an emergency situation. When activated, the eCall system establishes a voice connection with the emergency services. At the same time, it sends the critical data including time, location, direction of travel and vehicle identification, to speed response times by the emergency services.
The MoU creates a framework for the introduction of eCall and is designed to encourage co-operation between vehicle manufacturers, telecommunications operators, the European Commission and the EU Member States, together with other relevant parties such as the insurance industry, automobile clubs and other industry partners. eCall, like emergency calls, will be offered free of charge to users. In addition to the free eCall service, vehicle manufacturers and service providers can provide additional commercial services to supplement eCall.
According to the European Commission’s research, a service such as eCall can save up to 2,500 lives every year, reduce the severity of injuries by 10 to 15 percent and reduce emergency response times by up to 50 percent in rural areas and 40 percent in urban centres.