Telco News, 12 February 2026
Call for new antenna designs to boost emergency Wi‑Fi
The Connectivity Innovation Network has opened a call for proposals on antenna design for Vehicle-as-a-Node systems used by emergency services. The goal is to extend reliable Wi‑Fi beyond emergency vehicles when other networks are unavailable or degraded.
The programme addresses a practical communication challenge at incident scenes. Responders often operate beyond fixed infrastructure, while commercial mobile networks can become congested or outages can disrupt coverage. Vehicle-as-a-Node approaches treat an emergency vehicle as a mobile connectivity hub, providing local wireless coverage around the scene.
These systems can support communications and data sharing between responders and connect field devices and tools, including equipment that relies on network access for mapping, imagery, or incident management. In dynamic environments where location, terrain, and team movement change quickly, the vehicle becomes the focal point for connectivity.
Antenna focus
This call narrows the focus to antennas, reflecting the constraints of vehicle-mounted systems. Antennas must fit within limited vehicle space and tolerate vibration, weather, and physical impacts. They also need to provide coverage beyond the vehicle’s immediate vicinity, including around buildings, in bushland, and across uneven terrain.
Distinguished Professor Jay Guo, Director of the Connectivity Innovation Network, said antenna performance will determine whether Vehicle-as-a-Node deployments can deliver the required coverage in real-world conditions.
“The effectiveness of Vehicle-as-a-Node systems is fundamentally constrained by antenna capability.”
He linked the technical challenge to the realities of an emergency scene, where responders may need connectivity at distances and in conditions that differ from routine urban use.
“If we want to deliver wide and reliable Wi‑Fi coverage around an operational vehicle, particularly under real emergency conditions, innovation in antenna design becomes essential,” Guo said.
The initiative also positions the need as broader than remote and regional coverage. Large-scale incidents can strain networks even in cities, and unplanned outages can eliminate reliance on public infrastructure. “This is not only a regional issue,” Guo said.
Applied projects
The call seeks short, targeted research and development proposals from member universities and industry organisations, submitted either individually or as consortia. The structure is intended to allow teams to combine expertise in antenna design, wireless systems, vehicle integration, and emergency operations.
Proposals should explain how they will extend reliable Wi‑Fi coverage from the vehicle when fixed and commercial networks are constrained, while fitting within the physical and operational limits of an emergency vehicle. This includes mounting requirements and rugged field deployment.
“The challenge lies in achieving significant performance improvements within a form factor that emergency services can realistically deploy and operate,” Guo said.
The call also emphasises practical upgrade paths. Instead of replacing existing systems, it prioritises approaches that strengthen performance through upgrades or retrofit options-reflecting the reality of mixed fleets and varied equipment lifecycles, where improving components is often more feasible than wholesale replacement.
Genie Tan, Chief Operating Officer of the Connectivity Innovation Network, said the programme aims to link technical work to operational outcomes and the value of existing assets.
“Extending connectivity around emergency vehicles improves both operational capability and the return on investment of systems already in use,” Tan said. “We are seeking short, focused R&D projects that respond directly to real operational needs,” she said.
Assessment criteria
Submissions will be assessed on technical merit, relevance to emergency operations, feasibility within the proposed timeframe, and innovation. The call also highlights known constraints in Vehicle-as-a-Node deployments, including trade-offs among antenna size, placement, and performance, as well as the challenges of radio propagation in complex environments.
The Connectivity Innovation Network was launched in 2021 as a New South Wales Government-supported initiative jointly led by the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney. It brings together emergency services, government, researchers, and industry to develop and test connectivity solutions that support public safety, disaster resilience, and digital inclusion across the state.
The programme offers another pathway for applied research that can be tested and refined. For emergency services, it signals continued interest in vehicle-based connectivity as a contingency when standard communications systems cannot meet operational demands at an incident scene.
“Strong proposals will demonstrate a clear understanding of operational constraints and show how new approaches can translate into wider and more reliable connectivity around emergency vehicles,” Guo said.
Kaleah Salmon for Telco News