The Royal Household

As a longstanding communications partner of the Royal Household for over 20 years, the Brentwood Group was entrusted to upgrade and modernise the two-way radio system at one of the most iconic and security-sensitive buildings in the UK: Buckingham Palace.

The project called for more than just reliable voice communication – it required an integrated, resilient system capable of supporting instant emergency alerts across multiple departments, with fail-safe notifications that could not be missed.

Project Objectives:

• Supply a modern and flexible two-way radio solution with full coverage throughout the Palace estate
• Enable emergency alerts via radio panic buttons to reach the Control Room instantly
• Extend emergency alerts to multiple communication channels including radio software, email, SMS and phone calls
• Provide long-term support and maintenance to ensure system reliability

Our Solution

To meet the Royal Household’s requirements for performance and resilience, we deployed a fleet of over 100 Motorola radios across key departments. The radios were chosen to suit the specific operational needs of:

– The Fire Department
– Estates Team
– Security Staff
– The Royal Collection

Crucially, the radio system was integrated with an SMC Gateway – a sophisticated middleware platform designed for mission-critical environments.

When a user activates the panic/emergency button on their radio, the SMC Gateway instantly triggers alerts that:
– Display on the Control Room’s radio system software
– Are sent via email and SMS to designated responders
– Generate automated voice calls to both landline and mobile phones, ensuring no delay or dependency on any single notification method

Why SMC and Brentwood?

The Brentwood Group has a long-standing partnership with SMC, having successfully integrated their gateways with many radio systems across complex environments. Our deep expertise and proven track record with SMC integrations enabled us to confidently recommend this solution to the Royal Household.

Results

• Seamless, multi-channel emergency alerting capability with complete coverage
• Reliable communications between departments across all areas of the Palace
• Peace of mind for staff working in critical roles, knowing emergency help is just one button away
• Ongoing support and maintenance from a team that understands the unique operational needs of a Royal residence

A Trusted Partner

With over 20 years supporting the Royal Household, The Brentwood Group of companies have built a trusted relationship by consistently delivering communication solutions that are reliable, secure, and discreet. Our understanding of the high standards required at Buckingham Palace ensures that we continue to support safety, efficiency and operational excellence across the estate.