ERA-GLONASS to Enable SOS Alerts in Areas Without Cellular Coverage
A compact personal device will allow users to send distress signals via satellite anywhere in Russia.
A mobile device capable of sending emergency messages to rescue services via the ERA-GLONASS system outside cellular coverage areas is being developed in Russia, the company’s press service told TASS.
The project involves AO GLONASS, FSUE Morsvyazsputnik and AO NII KP of Roscosmos. It will rely on the international Cospas-Sarsat search-and-rescue system, which is used globally to detect and locate distress signals from ships and aircraft. The new solution is expected to extend this capability to individual users.
Field testing of various real-world use cases is scheduled for this summer. The agreement to launch the project was signed at the International Transport and Logistics Forum.
Personal Digital Safety Tool
Users will be able to independently register a personal radio beacon with Morsvyazsputnik. According to AO GLONASS CEO Alexey Raikevich, integration with ERA-GLONASS will allow data to be transmitted directly to the System-112 emergency network, including coordinates and regional routing. Users will also be able to specify the type of incident, helping emergency services determine the appropriate response. Messages can be transmitted via both cellular and satellite channels.
Morsvyazsputnik CEO Andrey Kuropyatnikov said the agreement will reduce the time and cost of search-and-rescue operations in remote areas without cellular coverage. The system will also support voice communication.
NII KP representatives added that the compact device will function as a personal digital tool. Once activated, it will transmit distress signals for at least 48 hours.
