Successful First User Test of Cross-Border Communications between Norway and Finland

Norwegian DSB collaborated with the Finnish Erillisverkot to link the two countries' emergency networks, Virve and Nødnett.

Recently, representatives from the fire and rescue services, health services, police, customs from both countries, as well as the Finnish border guard gathered in Northern Finland for two days to test radio terminals and cross-border communications.
 
During these tests, first responders were supported by the technical staff from DSB and Erillisverkot. On the first day parameters or the terminals were tested and adjusted. They also demonstrated the functionality that cross-border communication offers. In advance, the new FINO speech groups were programmed into the radio terminals of the operating organisations, and test users were added to the neighbouring network.
 
Day two was set for a test scenario where end-users played a single scenario with border crossing and interaction between the first responders. Among other things, it was checked that a Nødnett user could call home to Nødnett via the Virve in Finland and vice versa, while it was tested that a radio terminal connects to its home network once again in the country. The first responders also communicated with control rooms in the north.

"It is good to see that most of it is already in place during the first user test of the interconnection," said Atle Rørbakk, responsible for user testing from DSB.

In addition to the fact that the upcoming service of cross-border communication has to work technically, it is also important that guidelines and procedures for use be established.

"The cooperation with the Finnish emergency services is very good and everyone contributes to this being a good tool that benefits the population," concludes Atle.

Cross-border communication with Finland will be launched as a service in Nødnett in the autumn of 2018.