By: Guilherme Pizzato

Global public safety is increasingly in the spotlight, as incidents of civil unrest, violent protests, and widespread disorder become more frequent. In the U.K. alone, crime statistics show a significant 49 percent increase in violence with injury incidents between June 2023 and June 2024, with the number of cases reaching 562,000. However, the rise in public unrest is not isolated to one region – it is part of a global shift, with major protests erupting across up to 150 countries according to the latest statistics from the Global Protest Tracker. 

The increased frequency and severity of these events are straining public safety organizations many of which rely on outdated systems to handle modern emergencies. In this environment, the need for technological evolution in public safety is more critical than ever. Enter 5G technology, which is positioned to revolutionize how emergency services respond to crises, enhance situational awareness, and provide real-time support to first responders in increasingly complex scenarios.

Outdated Infrastructure: The Barrier to Modern Public Safety

For decades, public safety systems have relied on legacy technologies designed primarily for voice communication and short amounts of data exchange. While once sufficient, these outdated systems now struggle to support the complex demands of modern crisis management. As incidents of social unrest and violence increase, traditional systems do not provide the necessary capabilities to significantly improve response times and coordination among first responders.

The U.K. exemplifies this challenge. Over a quarter of digital systems used by the U.K. government are obsolete, hampering efficiency and posing significant security risks.

The financial cost of maintaining these legacy systems is equally concerning. The U.K. government spends £2.3 billion annually just to keep these aging public sector systems running,funds that could otherwise drive much-needed modernization.

As public safety challenges grow, the need for modern, future-proof, reliable and secure communication systems is more pressing than ever. Outdated technology puts both first responders and the public at risk, making it crucial to bridge this gap for more efficient, coordinated responses to emergencies.

Empowering Real-time Decision-making with Video and Predictive Analytics

One of the defining capabilities of 5G in public safety is its ability to support high-definition, low-latency video streaming from various sources, such as drones, body cameras, and fixed surveillance systems. This real-time video streaming is crucial for incident management in high-stress environments like protests or public disturbances, where quick decisions are necessary. Live footage allows command centers to assess situations from multiple angles, ensuring that responses are based on the most current and accurate information available.

Additionally, integrating 5G with AI-powered predictive analytics enhances situational awareness. By analyzing data from crowd movements, social media, and historical trends, AI can identify emerging threats. A recent study found that smart technologies such as AI could help cities reduce crime by 30 to 40 percent and reduce response times for emergency services by 20 to 35 percent. In fact, some police departments have reported a 20 percent decrease in burglaries and a 13 percent reduction in violent crime after implementing predictive policing.

This combination of 5G and AI-powered video surveillance systems enables continuous monitoring and real-time alerts for unusual activity, allowing law enforcement to respond more swiftly and efficiently.

Enabling Seamless Collaboration Across Agencies

In complex emergencies, public safety responses often require the coordination of multiple agencies. Whether it’s police, fire services, or paramedics, effective communication and collaboration are essential. Unfortunately, legacy communication systems, which were not designed for interoperability, can struggle to meet the demands of multi-agency cooperation.

5G eliminates this barrier by offering standardized technology that enables communication services such as mission-critical push-to-talk and mission-critical push-to-video, allowing different agencies to communicate seamlessly during a crisis. Whether responding to a large-scale protest or a terrorist attack, 5G ensures that first responders can work together efficiently, sharing critical information in real-time. According to a recent survey, 66 percent of public safety professionals now consider 5G either important to their work or a top priority, recognizing its potential to enhance reliability, driving more effective coordination and work efficiency. Location-based