Barents Rescue Enables Unique Opportunity Connecting 3 Countries with TETRA in the Nordics
MSB announced that it has participated in a world-unique launch when three countries' radio communications networks are interconnected.
For the first time ever and under Swedish Chairmanship, TETRA radio communication networks from 3 countries in the Nordics are connected. This is done during the Barents Rescue collaboration exercise in Kiruna on September 23-26.
The 3 party interconnection enables public safety entities in the Nordic region to communicate with each other with their own radio terminals in a specially developed voice group in Sweden on the Rakel Network, in Finland on the Virve Network and in Norway on the Norwegian Notnett network.
It is MSB who together with their counterparts in Norway and Finland, DSB and Eriillisverkot have developed the solution and are now making a joint launch.
"The 3 party interconnection represents another step for effective cross-border communication in the Nordic region. The ability to collaborate across borders is strengthened, which facilitates rescue operations, accidents and crises", says Anita Galin, project manager for the interconnection.
The interconnection is desired and requested by users of TETRA networks. In the Nordic countries, there are established collaborations and a tradition of helping each other. The Nordic countries have a lot to do with each other at different levels ─ everything from rescue efforts to politics. Communication is crucial for the intentions to be achieved. Radio communication between countries must work.
"With the 3 party interconnection, it is possible to quickly establish communication across borders when no other way works, for example if the mobile networks are down. This can be crucial in terrorist attacks, pandemics, storms and other events. In the end, it makes citizens safer," says Anita Galin.
The event week will consist not only of practical training and field exercises for first responders but also seminars, workshops and other forms of educational training. The practical training and exercises aim to develop the following areas:
- First responder’s collaboration on scene in the Barents region
- Robust communication between Tetra users in one region within the Barents region
- Raising alerts
- Border-crossing and host nation support
Previously, MSB also participated when two countries' TETRA networks were connected for the first time in the world. This happened in 2016 between Sweden and Norway.
About the Barents Rescue
Barents Rescue, a civil international crisis management exercise, was initiated and conducted in Sweden for the first time in 2001. From 2019, it will be conducted every third year. The four countries take turn in arranging the exercise. The last time that Sweden hosted Barents Rescue was in 2011.
Barents Euro-Arctic Council was formally inaugurated on the initiative of the foreign minister of Norway, Thorvald Stoltenberg, in 1993. The aim is to:
Strengthen peace, stability and progress through the enhancement of the capability of cross-border cooperation within the Barents Euro-Arctic region.
