MSB Enhances the Swedish National Critical Communications Network with Ericsson's 5G

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has procured a 5G core network from Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to develop Rakel G2, Sweden’s critical communications network for public safety and emergency services including national defense purposes.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been awarded a 5G core network by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) in order to construct Rakel G2, the nation's critical communications network utilized for emergency services, public safety, and national defense.

Enhanced situational awareness facilitated by secure and rapid methods of voice, data, image, and video sharing will enable police, fire departments, emergency medical services, and military organizations to collaborate more efficiently.

It is critical for first responders and their organizations to have a communications network that is secure, accessible, and resilient in order to prevent and prepare for crises and emergencies, as well as to utilize available resources when they do occur. Critical to saving lives in such emergency situations, especially when multiple stakeholder agencies are engaged, could be the capability of communicating securely and with guaranteed quality.

Ronny Harpe, Director, Rakel, and Command Operating Systems, MSB, says: “A prerequisite for cooperation within our national defense is access to a robust, modern, dedicated communications system. An investment in such a system not only strengthens Sweden's ability to collaborate and lead mission critical operations on an everyday basis, but also during potential large-scale crisis.”

MSB´s new dual-mode 5G Core network from Ericsson will be a crucial part of Sweden's next-generation Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) mission-critical mobile network, designated Rakel G2.

Jenny Lindqvist, Head of Market Area Europe & Latin America, Ericsson, says: “By providing Ericsson’s latest 5G core technology, we are supporting MSB’s mission to strengthen Sweden’s national critical network. 5G is the most versatile and capable technology available to meet such demanding requirements for secure and effective communications through voice, data, images, and video.”

In the initial stages, the 5G core network developed by Ericsson will serve as a supplementary infrastructure to MSB's pre-existing national radio communications system, Rakel, which is built upon the Tetra standard. Rakel is utilized by over 650 organizations representing a variety of governmental sectors, such as law enforcement, customs, military defense, coast guard, rescue services, and healthcare.

In 2024, the implementation of the new main network will commence.