Broadband  |  2024-11-20

New Era for Mission Critical Communications in Sweden

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Mission Critical Communications Expo welcomes new Director General and saw the launch of The Swedish Emergency Network SWEN as the new name of Rakel, Rakel G2 and services.

At the 2024 iteration of the Mission Critical Communications Expo in Stockholm, the newly appointed Director General Mikael Frisell of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) delivered an exceptional event. The event was recognised as a comprehensive exhibition featuring Swedish and international industry, operators, and all five Nordic countries' government mission critical network operators in the "Nordic Village" and welcomed 1200 attendees and offering  a rich and engaging conference program.

The Swedish Emergency Network, SWEN, was introduced at the event as the follow  up for Rakel, Rakel G2, and services. During the event MSB's international cooperation was highlighted as a good example, as it is actively engaged in numerous critical areas to contribute to the success of broadband Mission Critical Services (MCX).

One example is the NextGen Device-to-Device Mission Critical Communication 'Vinnova project', which aims to promote the development of functional direct communication between 5G terminals. This communication is of significant importance to the users of SWEN and broadband mission critical networks worldwide.

Nordic Cross Border Communication

The Letter of Intent for Nordic Cross Border Communication was signed by Timo Lehtimäki from Suomen Erillisverkot -konserni, Ronny Harpe from MSB (Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency), and Bjørn Morten Skudsveen from Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB).

This project, which is being led by Jessica Penther Ryttberg of MSB, is designed to connect the Nordic broadband mission critical networks and guarantee that the mission critical network roaming available to TETRA users today is maintained after the transition to broadband. Nordic Cross-Border Communication will be coordinated in conjunction with the BroadEU Net Programme and the evolving European Critical Communications System (EUCCS).

International event

The event also welcomed delegates from the United States, United Kingdom, France and Italy joining in for the discussions, sharing their knowledge. The conference didn’t stop there as more than 50 industryleading vendors took part on the exhibition floor.

Ronny Harpe - Director of SWEN and Command Operating Systems, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) said:

The message was clear, civil defence is a huge part of the total defence in Sweden and we need to build capabilities now, not tomorrow!