Fleets are being warned that the next generation (NG) eCall safety systems may not function in emergencies for almost a year due to delays in UK telecommunications upgrades. The roll-out of NG eCall is part of a broader European effort to modernise automotive safety, transitioning the technology away from vulnerable cellular bands. However, the UK’s core telecommunications infrastructure requires significant modifications to process the newer emergency signals, creating an operational gap between vehicle delivery and network capability. For businesses running older assets, the government has confirmed that vehicles registered before the September 2025 cutoff require no immediate hardware changes, as their 2G-based safety systems remain unaffected by the current delay. But because these 2G networks are being decommissioned at the turn of the decade, these older eCall systems will permanently cease to function once the legacy networks are switched off in 2029 and 2030.