Vodafone Spain has delivered the Military Emergency Unit (UME), what it claims to be the first mobile unit equipped with a private 5G network. According to the telco, it’s designed to maintain communications during disasters and situations of serious risk.. The solution enables the on-site deployment of a Mobile Private Network (MPN) capable of providing dedicated, secure, high-capacity coverage, independent of the availability of commercial networks.
The goal is to ensure connectivity for emergency teams even when conventional infrastructure is damaged, congested, or out of service.. The core of the infrastructure is a 5G node integrated into a UME vehicle. Once deployed, it creates a private connectivity bubble in the operations area that enables the transmission of video, images, and data in real time..
This capability is designed for scenarios such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, or heavy snowfall, in which maintaining high-capacity communications is critical for coordinating deployed teams.. The infrastructure is complemented by 100 ruggedized smartphones, ten tablets, SIM cards, and management tools.
The system can operate on different frequency bands and integrate with both the UME’s private networks and the public networks available in each scenario.. One of the key features is a tethered drone connected to the vehicle, which functions as an elevated coverage point to extend the network’s range.
According to Vodafone, the solution can reach up to a 10km radius under line-of-sight conditions and about five kilometers in complex terrain, such as mountainous or forested areas.. Edge computing and connectivity for critical operations. The solution is part of Vodafone’s broader strategy for the defense and security sectors, which combines private 5G networks, advanced connectivity, Edge computing, cloud services, and cyber defense..
The deployment brings advanced processing and communications capabilities directly to the emergency scene, reducing reliance on fixed infrastructure and enhancing operational continuity. In this context, private 5G networks can act as a temporary infrastructure layer to connect sensors, devices, vehicles, and equipment deployed in the field..
The project was awarded to Vodafone by the Ministry of Defense after it outbid the other two proposals submitted in the competitive bidding process. The contract, financed with European Next Generation funds, is valued at €1.5 million ($1.74m) (excluding VAT) and has a duration of 26 months..
The delivery of this first unit makes the UME project one of the leading examples of the application of private 5G networks to critical communications infrastructure, with an architecture designed to maintain connectivity and coordination capabilities when conventional networks are no longer available.. This piece was automatically translated from DCD’s Spanish site and edited by a member of DCD staff..
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