The GSMA has backed an EU-wide initiative to rollout an in-vehicle emergency call service using wireless technology. The service – known as ‘eCall’ – enables an emergency call to be generated either manually or automatically via in-vehicle sensors in an emergency situation. When activated, the eCall system establishes a voice connection with the emergency services and sends critical data including time, location, direction of travel and vehicle identification, to speed response times by the emergency services. According to the European Commission’s research, eCall can save up to 2,500 lives every year, reduce the severity of injuries by 10-15 percent and reduce emergency response times by up to 50 percent in rural areas and 40 percent in urban centres. eCall, like normal emergency calls, will be offered free of charge to users, though vehicle manufacturers and service providers will be able to provide additional commercial services to supplement the service, the GSMA said in a statement.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the GSMA (acting on behalf of the global mobile industry) and the European Commission this week aims to create a framework for the introduction of eCall. It is designed to encourage co-operation between vehicle manufacturers, telecoms 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 forms part of the GSMA’s Embedded Mobile Initiative, a programme designed to accelerate the adoption of wireless connectivity in a wide range of devices. The GSMA also announced this week that it has endorsed a new 3GPP mobile broadcasting standard, Integrated Mobile Broadcast (IMB).