The AA is using flagship router technology from Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions to increase the connectivity of its roadside vans and rescue stranded drivers faster.
Roadside recovery patrols are often called out to remote areas facing difficult terrains and limited connectivity, causing frustrations for both the patrol and customer. The existing solution operated on a SIM-only basis that used 3G and 4G networks, excluding patrols from using faster, more reliable 5G connectivity to assess breakdown data and rescue more customers.
Trials of Ericsson’s R1900 router in 350 vans – including a core requirement for connectivity up to 25m from the vehicle – were successful and the AA then rolled out a nationwide upgrade to its 2,700 patrol vehicles.
The new solution involves a combination of a primary SIM and a backup SIM that can tap into wider frequencies on any spectrum of coverage. This enables 98.5% high-value connectivity – split across both 5G and 4G networks, 60% and 40% respectively, the equivalent of improving connectivity by one bar. The AA has also integrated Ericsson’s NetCloud Manager platform as a key differentiator for managing the numerous Wireless WANs.
The increased connectivity has ensured patrols have real-time access to data analytics to faster identify their next callout location, query information – such as where a specific car part may be located nearby – and, ultimately, improve emergency response and repair times on each job.
At the end of the summer, where peak demand is experienced, data revealed that every patrol experienced a minimum increase of 10% in connectivity.
Antony Hausdoerfer, group chief information officer at the AA, said: “Our patrols use every inch of their vans to deliver world-class customer service, and ensuring fast and secure connectivity is just as important as the spark plugs they carry. The rollout of the Ericsson router has seen considerable improvements in both customer satisfaction scores and positive patrol feedback.”
He added: “By upgrading the tools our patrols use, they can rescue our customers faster than before and help them keep their show on the road. The patrols are rightly proud of the service they provide which has been helped by the best mobile service possible.”
