Why Keysight & HEAD Acoustics are Testing 5G eCall

Keysight Technologies and HEAD acoustics have confirmed a successful interoperability test of their combined solution for Next Generation eCall (NG eCall) systems, a key advancement in emergency communication for connected vehicles. 

As telecom networks continue to evolve and the automotive sector moves toward fully integrated 5G environments, the test marks a step forward in meeting global safety requirements through reliable voice and network quality.

NG eCall systems enable automatic emergency calling when a serious accident occurs, transmitting essential data and opening a voice channel between the vehicle and emergency services. 

While legacy eCall systems rely on 2G and 3G, the next generation must operate across 4G and 5G, using Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem–Session Initiation Protocol (IMS–SIP) for voice transmission. The test conducted by Keysight and HEAD acoustics confirms these capabilities.

Thomas Goetzl, Vice President of Automotive & Energy Solutions at Keysight Technologies, says: “This milestone underscores Keysight’s commitment to enabling the automotive industry’s transition to next-generation emergency call systems. 

“By combining our comprehensive RF test capabilities with HEAD acoustics’ expertise in acoustic validation, we are delivering a future-proof solution that meets global regulatory demands and supports safer mobility.”

Validating across evolving telecom networks

The test took place at Keysight’s Centre of Excellence in Böblingen over two days in October, focusing on validating NG eCall speech quality and network handover across all major mobile technologies. 

Keysight’s one-box RF test solution integrated with HEAD acoustics’ ACQUA and labCORE systems to provide a full-stack test environment.

Together, the two systems simulated and evaluated end-to-end NG eCall scenarios over 4G and 5G networks. Additionally, the setup confirmed support for fallback to 2G and 3G, ensuring continuity in markets where these networks are still in operation. 

As a result, it is extremely important for telecom providers and car manufacturers who need to maintain coverage in hybrid network environments.

Furthermore, the solutions support acoustic measurements aligned with ITU-T P.1140 and GB/T 45314 speech quality metrics, ahead of formal regulatory deadlines in the EU and China. 

Both the European CEN EN 17240:2024 and China’s GB 45672-2025 will require standardised speech testing in vehicles by 2027.

Preparing the telecom industry for regulation

The automotive industry’s adoption of next-gen eCall brings with it new demands on mobile network operators and telco infrastructure providers. 

Voice quality must be ensured over packet-switched networks, meaning telecom providers must support consistent, low-latency audio transmission over 4G and 5G.

Such a shift further impacts mobile infrastructure vendors who must ensure that their IMS–SIP servers can prioritise emergency call traffic and interoperate with vehicle systems.

Telecom test and measurement tools, like those from Keysight, become essential to guarantee compliance and readiness.

The success of the interoperability test sets a benchmark for telco-aligned solutions supporting NG eCall. The partnership allows automotive developers, telecom providers and system integrators to validate new in-vehicle communication systems in line with upcoming regulations and telecom evolution.

Enabling future-ready safety and user experience

As vehicle connectivity increases, so does reliance on telecom infrastructure. NG eCall systems represent a growing intersection between telco and automotive sectors. 

The test by Keysight and HEAD acoustics enables a standardised, reliable experience for users regardless of location or mobile technology.

Dr Matthias Wegerhoff, Managing Director of HEAD acoustics, says: “Customer satisfaction drives everything we do. 

“That’s why we’re committed to offering a broad, flexible range of NG eCall solutions.

“The interoperability with Keysight technology brings valuable technical expertise to this mission, enabling us to jointly develop future-ready tools for next-generation voice and audio quality testing.”

The collaboration demonstrates how integrated telco and automotive test systems will support future mobility, where cars must remain connected across increasingly complex and high-speed mobile networks. 

By validating that NG eCall systems can reliably operate over IMS–SIP connections with strong audio performance, Keysight and HEAD acoustics give telecom providers confidence in supporting mission-critical services.