Getting connectivity to disaster zones

JET Connectivity delivered a Tay5G project to develop and trial rapidly deployable 5G connectivity for emergency resilience and disaster response across the Tay Cities region. The company specialises in 5G radio and user equipment designed for rural and hard-to-reach locations, with networks capable of operating using battery, solar or hydrogen power. The project built on JET’s previous work demonstrating connectivity for onshore search and rescue operations and offshore drone flights beyond visual line of sight.

The project advanced JET’s “network in a box” approach, moving beyond a single, isolated bubble of coverage towards a connected network of pop-up sites. It explored how separate hardware systems could communicate wirelessly and operate as one network, extending coverage without requiring a fibre connection to every base station. Work also examined connections to external internet and public network services, alongside service slicing—the ability to allocate network capacity to different users and applications, including prioritising emergency responders.

The widespread disruption caused by Storm Arwen in November 2021 provided an important backdrop. Loss of electricity, mobile coverage and broadband highlighted how communications failures can affect households, businesses and the delivery of essential services, particularly in remote communities. JET’s project addressed this challenge by developing an approach to temporary connectivity that could operate independently of mains power and be deployed quickly where existing services were disrupted.

The work explored how accessible equipment and clear operating guidance could help council teams and first responders establish temporary coverage with less reliance on specialist engineers. Potential applications include maintaining contact with vulnerable residents, supporting coordination between response teams and enabling connected technologies such as drones. These applications offer opportunities for further development and testing, including support for communities cut off by severe weather.

Solution and delivery

Using JET’s 5G base station technology, the project developed and trialled an approach to wider-area coverage through multiple wirelessly connected nodes. An available internet connection could serve as the access point, with connectivity distributed between pop-up sites over radio links. This approach was designed to reduce dependence on fixed infrastructure and make temporary networks more flexible to deploy.

The project also addressed the practical requirements for emergency use, including straightforward setup, user guidance and training needs for council representatives and first responders. This work helped establish a foundation for a deployable connectivity service that could support local resilience planning.

A longer-term development opportunity is integration with mobile network operators, allowing their customers to connect through JET’s equipment when normal services are unavailable. Such integration could eventually enable people to retain their usual phones and SIM cards during disruption, but requires further technical development and agreements with network operators.