Motorola Solutions Takes Networking to the Extreme

Motorola Solutions announces formal, on-schedule completion of Nødnett, Norway’s new nationwide digital Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) communications system for public safety and rescue users. This achievement was commemorated with an event attended by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway and Minister of Justice and Public Security Anders Anundsen.

Nødnett is the most advanced mission-critical communications system in the world and one of the largest contracts in Motorola Solutions’ history. The network’s size, complexity, innovative technology and the extremes of Norway’s geography and climate made installation a challenge.

“From coastal fjords to the mountains, and from urban centers to the remote Polar North, the task of providing nationwide secure and resilient communications across Norway’s complex and challenging landscape has been expertly managed by prime contractor Motorola Solutions,” said Tor Helge Lyngstøl, director general, Directorate for Emergency Communication (DNK), Norway.

The nationwide coverage encompasses 330 emergency call centers connected by 2,170 base stations. More than 45,000 users from the police, fire and health agencies, plus voluntary rescue organizations, customs and more are making nearly 1.5 million calls each month over the Nødnett network.

To complete Nødnett, Motorola Solutions installed more than 20,000 kilometers of microwave transmission lines – more than enough to run from Oslo to Mexico City and back again. Norway's high latitude means the northern sites are shrouded in darkness 24/7 during the winter months with temperatures plunging to a chilling -40°C. With the network reaching far north into the Arctic Ocean to Svalbard, installation teams often climbed 50 meters up entombed radio towers to remove by hand stunningly beautiful, but problematic ice.

The network coverage also extends through 310 road tunnels for 758 kilometers, about eight hours of solid driving without ever seeing the light of day. The tunnels include the Laerdal tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the world, and the world’s deepest sub-sea tunnels, the Eiksund and Bumlafjord tunnels.

In all, Motorola Solutions teams drove 817,000 kilometers conducting radio coverage testing, the equivalent of 20 times around the equator. Nearly 14,000 kilometers were traveled by helicopter to test air-to-ground-to-air coverage.

The completion of Nødnett is just the start for Motorola Solutions. The company will maintain and provide operational support for the next 10 years, strengthening the network and providing further functional capabilities. One-third of all Nødnett base stations are already equipped with TETRA Enhanced Data Services (TEDS) and Motorola Solutions has provisioned WAVE™ Work Group Communications to deliver enhanced connectivity, interoperability and collaboration for Nødnett by offering radio-like ‘push-to-talk’ (PTT) on smartphones and connected devices. The network is also ready for public safety broadband bearers, such as long-term evolution (LTE).

“This reliable, nationwide, end-to-end encrypted TETRA network now replaces hundreds of aging regional public safety systems. Despite operating in some of the most remote parts of Europe, the police, fire, paramedic and health agencies have access to clear, secure and immediate data and voice calls so that they can communicate together and save lives,” said Manuel Torres, senior vice president and general manager Europe, Africa and Latin America, Motorola Solutions.