What is NG eCall?

Next Generation eCall (NG eCall) builds on the original eCall service that has been in place across Europe since April 1, 2018. NG eCall uses 4G LTE and 5G networks along with IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a modern architecture that’s also used for VoLTE (Voice over LTE). The traditional eCall service used older 2G/3G voice networks. 

In emergency scenarios, NG eCall enables a vehicle to automatically place a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) call via LTE or 5G to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and simultaneously transmit the Minimum Set of Data (MSD), which includes the vehicle’s GNSS-based location, time of incident, direction of travel, and crash-related data such as airbag deployment or rollover detection. The call can also be initiated manually by vehicle occupants. This IP-based setup ensures interoperability with modern networks and allows for a broader range of capabilities not possible with the legacy in-band modem approach.

NG eCall support will be mandatory across the EU for all new vehicles from January 1, 2026, as the automotive industry and PSAPs have until January 2026 to support NG-eCall. From 2027 manufacturers will be unable to sell vehicles that are incompatible with NG-eCall.

Key enhancements in NG eCall include:

Advanced Network Support: Supports 4G and 5G Networks.

Network Architecture: NG eCall replaces circuit-switched (CS) communication with IP-based IMS communication. As LTE and 5G networks are inherently packet-switched, this architectural shift is essential to ensure continuity as 2G and 3G networks are phased out across Europe.

Faster and More Reliable Data Transfer: In NG eCall, the Minimum Set of Data (MSD) is transmitted digitally during the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE phase of the IMS emergency call. This eliminates the limitations of in-band modem transmission (e.g., 140-character payload, susceptibility to speech interference) and results in faster call setup times, higher data integrity, and greater extensibility for additional parameters.

Multimedia and Advanced Interactions:  NG eCall supports rich media services such as real-time video transmission (e.g., from dashcams), text-to-speech conversion for accessibility and enhanced PSAP-to-vehicle interaction, including remote actions like horn activation, door lock/unlock, or ignition disablement. This two-way communication capability allows PSAP operators to not only receive data but also send operational commands to the vehicle in specific scenarios.

Improved Location Services: NG eCall integrates with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) - typically GPS, Galileo, or GLONASS—for accurate positioning. This enables more precise localization of incidents, even in complex environments. 

Standardization and Compliance: NG eCall is defined by CEN TS 17184:2022 (technical protocol) and CEN TS 17240:2024 (conformance testing). Compliance with these standards ensures interoperability across vehicle platforms and national emergency infrastructures.