Narrowband  |   Critical IoT  |  2025-01-29

Andalusia Launches its €27 Million Digital Emergency Network (REJA), the largest in Europe

Source: Junta de Andalucía

Based on TAIT Tier III DMR technology, the 99% coverage new critical communications network is linked with the state security network.

The Minister of the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue and Administrative Simplification of the Andalusian Government, Antonio Sanz, has activated the new Digital Emergency Network of Andalusia (REJA). The launching ceremony took place at the Andalusian Emergency Group Base (GREA) in Los Palacios y Villafranca (Seville) and was attended by representatives of Infoca, the National Police Unit Attached to the Government, Civil Protection, 112 or the Military Emergency Unit (UME), among others.

Antonio Sanz has highlighted the importance of this moment:

"Today we are going to take a giant step in terms of communications with the activation and definitive start-up of the new Digital Emergency Network. From today, Andalusia has the most extensive network in Europe in its category, with coverage for almost the entire territory." Its start-up will have an investment of around 27 million euros that "will improve our response in emergencies and reinforce the security of our professionals,"

the minister has pointed out.

The new implemented digital network, delivered by Sistelec, facilitates communication for the Andalusian Agency for Security and Comprehensive Emergency Management, containing services such as 112, GREA, Civil Protection, Infoca, and the Andalusian Institute for Emergencies and Public Security (Iespa).

The minister also explained that the new network goes beyond the Ministry's own resources and will serve all the emergency services of the Andalusian Government: the National Police Unit attached to the Government, the Health Emergency Centre (CES 061), the management team of the Sierra Nevada ski slopes (Cetursa) or the Hidrosur network, the Automatic Hydrological Information System (SAIH) of the Andalusian Mediterranean Basins, Guadalete and Barbate.

Antonio Sanz also highlighted another "pioneering functionality" of this network, such as the interoperability or interconnection with the State's security forces and bodies, such as the Civil Guard, the National Police and the UME. Thus, the II Emergency Intervention Battalion (BIEM) has actively participated in the demonstration of this switch-on.

Efficiency, savings and innovation

The design of the new digital network has also been done with an eye not only to optimising and improving all resources, that is, to "effectiveness, but also to efficiency", stressed Antonio Sanz. The REJA will allow savings in maintenance costs thanks to having opted for a technology (DMR, Digital Mobile Radio Tier III) that requires fewer fixed base installations and, therefore, its maintenance and upkeep requires less economic investment.

The Network has among its main advantages the high level of coverage throughout the territory, with the aim of ensuring that the coverage of this network is above 99% in all areas. To this end, there are 146 fixed bases distributed throughout the region interconnected with each other through a transport network and by the associated switching, interconnection, dispatch, recording, monitoring and management systems. In addition to eight mobile base stations, which a technician will deliver in less than four hours to any point in Andalusia to collaborate in critical situations.

In terms of functionality, the Network has the capacity to make up to 1,000 simultaneous calls, group calls and other improvements such as the positioning of personnel or life alerts thanks to the monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, body temperature or movement and inclination sensor) to warn in case of emergency.

The Ministry of the Presidency has been working for a year on the implementation of this instrument, tests have been carried out in simulations and units have also been implemented in large emergency operations such as the Plan del Cerro, the Jerez Grand Prix or the Plan Romero. The conclusions and experience of use have served to learn and improve the deployment.

After the official launch, the Interior team has carried out a demonstration of its operation with all the emergency operations of the Network, as well as the Government delegates and the Military Emergency Unit. Since then, the new application has been in operation.