Siemens to install country-wide TETRA emergency call network in Norway

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police has named Siemens as its turn-key contractor for the installation of a new country-wide emergency call network over the next five years and for the operation of the network for 20 years. The new network is based on TETRA technology (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), which is designed especially for emergency communications. Siemens’ technology partners are Motorola and Frequentis; the network infrastructure partners are Bane Tele and Telenor.

Siemens Networks and the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police recently signed the contract for the installation of a completely new emergency call system in Norway. Siemens will begin installing the new network immediately. The emergency call system is scheduled to be up and running throughout Norway by the end of 2011, when it will replace the country’s existing 30-year-old system.

“There will be practically no corner left in Norway that is not equipped with the new radio technology, thus ensuring reliable communications for police, fire department and health in the case of emergencies,” explained Christoph Caselitz, President of Mobile Networks at Siemens Networks.

The two technology partners, Motorola and Frequentis, will provide the TETRA products (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) for the emergency network and install the control centers. The network partners, Bane Tele and Telenor, will supply the sites for the mobile communications technology and the infrastructure for data and voice transmission. Siemens will have responsibility for all installation work, integration of technology, and operation and maintenance of the network for 20 years. The project development team accompanied Norwegian emergency service units to ensure that the digital mobile network provides a maximum of user friendliness for end users right from the start.

“The emergency mobile communications network will significantly improve the work of all units. The fire department and the police will reach accident scenes faster, and they will also be able to take preventive measures more quickly and coordinate them better thanks to improved communications,” said Per Otto Dyb, President of Siemens AS in Norway.

TETRA is a digital trunked radio communications standard developed especially for government agencies and other large organizations. It is endorsed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Its users include government agencies and emergency and security organizations such as fire departments and police forces. What is special about TETRA is that it enables a single control center to set up call groups and grant user and priority rights. The technology is also commonly seen as particularly reliable and eavesdrop-proof. TETRA end devices include walkie-talkies, for example.