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IDEMIA's Contribution to Spain's Road Safety Transformation

In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety, IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), a global frontrunner in secure connectivity solutions, is playing a pivotal role in Spain's new initiative to deploy connected emergency beacons known as V-16. Launched in collaboration with top European mobile operators like Telefónica, Vodafone, and MasOrange, this transformation aims to establish safer roads and streamline traffic management across the nation.

A Game-Changer in Traffic Management

As of January 1, 2026, Spain has officially replaced traditional warning triangles with the innovative V-16 connected beacons. Unlike passive signaling devices, these beacons actively communicate a vehicle's location to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) through the DGT 3.0 platform. This proactive capability allows authorities to send real-time alerts to road users and facilitate faster responses to emergencies, thereby potentially saving numerous lives.

Robust and Secure Connectivity Solutions

In its partnership with Telefónica, Vodafone, and MasOrange, IDEMIA is providing the essential SIM technology that ensures reliable communication for these DGT-certified beacons. Currently, IDEMIA supports connectivity for the majority of certified V-16 beacons in Spain, a project that could impact up to 30 million vehicles, making it the largest connected road safety program in Europe.

The technology enabling this communication is designed to be user-friendly and robust. Each beacon utilizes low-power mobile connectivity to automatically transmit its anonymous position upon activation. With IDEMIA's secure SIM capabilities, the solution ensures secure provisioning and encrypted data transmission, facilitating effective communication with the DGT platform while maintaining a long-term management lifecycle for the devices. No smartphone pairing or user configuration is necessary, allowing the beacons to operate instantly and discreetly in critical situations. The system is also built to sustain uninterrupted functionality nationwide for a minimum of 12 years.

Setting European Standards in Road Safety

The large-scale deployment of these beacons represents a significant advancement in public safety, highlighting the essential role of secure IoT connectivity. This pioneering initiative in Spain could become a benchmark for other nations contemplating similar road safety projects.

Javier GARCÍA OCÓN, Head of IoT Connectivity Products at Telefónica Tech, expressed, "As a Spanish company, Telefónica takes pride in its role in the successful launch of this ambitious national program. By providing IoT connectivity, we contribute to smarter traffic management, enhance road safety, and improve road service efficiency. Our collaboration with partners like IDEMIA demonstrates the societal impact of our solutions."

Miguel Ángel VICTORIA, B2B IoT Director at MasOrange, added, "By focusing on making driving experiences safer through V-16 beacons, we are committed to reliability and the highest performance standards through our NB-IoT technology and fully certified devices."

Meanwhile, Francisco VALLEJO, Marketing Director at Vodafone Spain, stated, "Vodafone has pioneered an NB-IoT network since 2017, now boasting over 16,800 sites nationwide. Our infrastructure positions us as a key technology partner in delivering the secure connectivity necessary for the large-scale implementation of V-16 beacons, contributing to a life-saving initiative."

Fabien JAUTARD, EVP of Connectivity Services at IDEMIA Secure Transactions, conveyed pride in the collaboration: "In accordance with the new traffic safety reforms mandating connected beacons, having reliable and secure connectivity at a national scale is crucial. Together with our long-standing partners, we ensure that millions of emergency devices stay connected securely for years. This deployment combines advanced IoT technologies with proven large-scale execution capabilities, reinforcing IDEMIA's lead in secure connectivity for critical infrastructure. Our teams are devoted to leveraging our developed solutions and technologies for a safer world."

The V-16 program exemplifies a vital step forward in integrating smart technologies within Europe’s mobility ecosystems, promising a new era of road safety and connectivity.