What you need to know about TETRA ISI between RAKEL and Nødnett

RAKEL recently published a document on questions and answers about Nordic project for the Inter System Interface (ISI), between the Nødnett (Norwegian) and Rachel (Swedish) TETRA network.

It answers questions like: Why should there be a collaboration between Nødnett and Rakel? In which geographical areas, users should acquire the ISI function in their radio terminals? Do we need to switch talk groups as we move across the border?

Here you can find some of the frequently asked questions and answers about the ISI and cross-border cooperation between Sweden and Norway.

• Why do we need the ISI features? Why a collaboration between Nødnett and Rachel?Experience shows that there is a need to communicate in a common system for various cross-border activities and efforts. Interconnection of Nødnett and Rachel will facilitate interaction and communication and streamline the rescue efforts.
• Which users will able to use the ISI service? There is no decision made yet, but probably it will be the operators who already have cross-border collaboration in their daily work. The operator is currently working on a policy for who can get additional service for the ISI.
• When is ISI operational? Technically speaking, the service will be available in both Norway and Sweden in late autumn 2016. In order to communicate between the various user groups, the software in radios must be upgraded and approved.
• Are all radio's capable of using ISI? There will be older radio terminals that are not capable of updating the ISI functions. A current overview of the models is available can be received from MSB and DNK.
• In which geographical areas, users should acquire the ISI function in their radio terminals? ISI functionality of the networks will be available throughout Norway and throughout Sweden, and not only in the border areas.
• Will it cost anything for users to have an ISI upgrade of its radio terminals? On this question there is no answer yet. Discussions about the ISI functionality with the suppliers are currently ongoing. It must be a software upgrade in the terminals, which probably means a cost.
• What is the difference between the gateway Nor-Eng and the new ISI features? To use the gateway solution it is required to have contact with the home networks. With ISI you will be able to migrate with your own radio terminal to another country's network. ISI provides coverage in both countries and not in an enclosed area. The other difference is that there will be specific talk-groups for the public safety stakeholders. Gateway solution only supports communication in the limited number of talk groups. ISI also supports other basic functions such as individual calls, SDS and status.
• Does the user need to switch talk groups as they move across the border? To communicate with a colleague in another country, you have to go over in a NE-SE-talkgroup for cross-border cooperation. Talk-groups are managed by the control room operator.
• Is it visible on the display of the radio on what network the radio is connected to? MSB and DNK have the requirement that the radio terminals should be able to show which network the end users are connected to.
• Will the emergency alarm work as usual? The issue of emergency alert is currently being investigated. Probably the panic alarm will go to the control room of the home network.
• Is it possible to make individual calls? Yes, this is possible.
• Is it possible to make a call to the fixed network in the neighboring country? It will be possible when the user has the rights to do so and when the radio terminal is programmed for it.
• How will the ISI be launched in Norway and Sweden? This issue is currently under discussion discussed between DNK and MSB
• Picture from left: Swedish Police officer Reine Lamkiewicz, Norwegian User Implementation Project Manager and National ISITEP PM Marianne Storrøsten, Swedish Project Manager Anita Galin and Norwegian Police officer Henning Fjellet presenting the The Norwegian-Swedish ISI (Inter-System Interface) project on Critical Communication World in Barcelona.