Why are the Norwegian emergency services in need of new radio communication systems?
The changeover to a new digital radio network with nationwide coverage is a major but very necessary undertaking, which Norway will be implementing in order to provide improved safety and security for all the nation's inhabitants, irrespective of where they live in the country.
Construction of base stations has begun
Construction of base stations has now begun in the first area of development of the Public Safety Radio Network in Norway, especially in the Østfold county and the Follo district.
Prices for the use of Nødnett decided
The Ministry of Justice and the Police and the Ministry of Health and Care Services have decided prices for the use of the new public safety radio network in Norway, Nødnett. An annual subscription fee has to be paid, and the users will be divided in to six categories, based on how much they are using the network.
New plan for development of Nødnett
The new public safety radio network (Nødnett) in Norway will be developed in Østfold and Follo in June 2008. In November 2008 the network will be ready for use in Oslo, Romerike, Asker, Bærum and Southern Buskerud. This is clear after the Directorate for Emergency communication (DNK), Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), and the public safety agencies have worked out an updated plan for the development of the first stage of the network.
Realistic training in Stavern
The Norwegian Police University College develops an operative training centre for the new public safety radio network in the Justice Sector’s conference and training centre in Stavern. Personnel from the operation centrals of the police and fire brigades will get realistic training in handling emergency situations in the new centre.
Denmark moves closer to a new radio network
The establishment of nationwide radio network in Denmark has taken a step forward with the decision by the Danish government move to final negotiations with Dansk Beredskapskommunikation A/S. The contact is expected to be signed during the summer.
Norwegian Public Safety Radio Network in Focus at TETRA World Congress
The TETRA World Congress took place at the conference centre IFEMA in Madrid June 11-14, 2007. Many Norwegian delegates were present, and there was great interest for the Norwegian contract, which is the world's first to include next generation TETRA. This means that the Norwegian public safety network will be supplied with the add-on TEDS (TETRA Enhanced Data Service), which provides far higher data rates than currently available through TETRA. TEDS was first presented at the congress, where EADS showed live video over TETRA in true time.
Revised plan for construction of new emergency communication network
The works regarding the new Norwegian emergency communication network is well on the way, and project organisations have been established at the Directorate for Emergency Communication (DNK) and Nokia Siemens Networks Norway (NSN).
During the development of detailed plans and solutions for the development of the radio network, NSN and DNK have discovered that key activities will require more time than expected. To ensure the quality of the project, it has been decided to revise the plans for development of the network.
The Norwegian Directorate for Emergency Communication is formally opened
The Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, formally opened the new Norwegian Directorate of Emergency Communication in Oslo on May the 29th 2007.
The main task of the directorate is to establish a new radio network for the public safety agencies in Norway. Tor Helge Lyngstøl is the head of the new directorate. He was appointed to be director in the autumn of 2006.
Contract for transmission network is signed
The Directorate for Emergency Communication, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and BaneTele signed on may the 4th a contract on transmission services to the new radio network for the public safety agencies in Norway. BaneTele’s transmission lines will cover the different needs for realising the public safety network.
Survey
In April and May the Directorate for Emergency Communication (DNK) will carry out a survey targeting the three public safety organisations (fire, police and health/ambulance). All users of radio terminals will be surveyed. The main objective is to map the status of today's radio-systems and its functions before the new Public Safety Radio System is implemented.
Directorate for Emergency Communication responsible for the Public Safety Radio Network
As of April1st, 2007 the responsibility for development, introduction and administration of the new, digital emergency radio network in Norway is given to the Directorate for Emergency Communication. The directorate is officially established on the same day. All personnel connected to the Public Safety Radio Project, which to this date has been part of the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police, is transferred to the directorate. Tor Helge Lyngstøl, who has been in charge of the project since its start in 1998, is appointed Director of the Directorate for emergency Communication (DNK).
First batch of radio terminals ordered
The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police has ordered the first batch of radio terminals for the new, digital public safety radio network. The framework agreement on provision of terminals signed with Siemens covers a selection of radio terminal types from Motorola and ClearTone, and is valid for the provision of terminals for the first area of development of the Norwegian public safety radio network.
The Directorate for Emergency Communication is established
The Ministry of Justice and the Police will from April 1st 2007 establish a new directorate called " Directorate for Emergency Communication" (in Norwegian "Direktoratet for nødkommunikasjon" - DNK). The directorate will be responsible for establishing a radio network for the public safety agencies in Norway. The Norwegian Public Safety Radio Project has so far been organised as a project within the Ministry of Justice and the Police.
Siemens AS selected as preferred bidder for Nødnett
The Ministry of Justice, as represented by Trond Giske as acting Minister, has resolved that finalising negotiations are to be held with Siemens with the intention that at a later stage contracts will be signed for the development and operation of a new radio communications network for the public safety agencies. This means that other competitors are now no longer involved in the further competition.
An Independent Evaluation of the Public Safety Network Project
An independent evaluation is now to be carried out of the material underlying the recommendations by the Public Safety Network Project for the choice of supplier.
- We want to avoid being placed in a situation of a cost overrun, such as has been experienced by the State in earlier large-scale projects, states Mr. Terje Moland Pedersen, State Secretary with the Ministry of Justice and the Police.
Tor Helge Lyngstøl, the new Director of the Public Safety Network
Mr. Tor Helge Lyngstøl (55) Head of Project, has been appointed the new Director of the the Norwegian Public Safety Network. Mr. Lyngstøl has been employed with the Ministry of Justice as Head of Project for the public safety network project since 1998. He is a graduate engineer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has long-standing experience from working in telecommunications and the energy industry.
Improved safety and security for everybody, says Knut Storberget, the Minister of Justice
- The authorities are doing everything possible to improve your safety and security, says Knut Storberget, Norwegian Minister of Justice. He refers to the process that has begun to make a new public safety network with nationwide coverage a reality.
- The new public safety network will become one of the cornerstones of this country’s future comprehensive defences, says the Minister.
Status of the Norwegian Public Safety Project
The Project team intends to select and enter into final negotiations towards the end of August with one of the Tenderers for the rollout of the new digital public safety radio network. It is planned to conclude the contract during the course of the autum.
- What is most important to us now is that the negotiations should lead to a first-class contract for the State, and for the future users of the public safety radio network", says Tor Helge Lyngstøl, Head of Project.
- We must learn from the terrorist bombing in London
- During the terrorist bombing in London last summer there was a failure in the communications. That is something from which we must all learn, says Jan Helseth, Technical Manager of The Norwegian Public Safety Network. He has resently returned from a visit to 02 Airwave, the new Public Safety Network for England, Scotland and Wales.
RAKEL boss Nils Svartz: - More co-operation across national borders with nationwide network
- I look forward to the time not far ahead when the public safety network in Sweden will be able to communicate with its neighbouring countries. We shall have better co-ordination and co-operation among all parties involved, also across national borders, says Nils Svartz, Head of Rakel.
TETRA technology recommended for the Danish Public Safety Network
It is now recommended that Denmark’s Public Safety Network should be based on the TETRA technology. This is evident from the recommendations made by the Danish Radioutvalget (Broadcasting Committee).
The Committee on Infrastructure: Public Safety Radio Network with nationwide coverage is highly important for Norway
- Establishing a new Public Safety Radio Network with nation-wide coverage is highly important for the country's critical infrastructure.
The Public Safety Network will be one of the cornerstones of the Norwegian preparedness, is the statement made by Mr. Sven Ullring, former President and CEO of Det norske Veritas. He has been head of the "Committee to secure the country's critical infrastructure."
A new Emergency Communications Network in Denmark
The Danish Government has resolved to build a new, emergency network, which will make it possible to communicate across the various agencies during an emergency or a crisis.
- We look forward to good co-operation with the Norwegian Public Safety Radio Project, says Jeppe Juul-Andersen of Økonomistyrelsen.
Old analogue communications system a major safety and security risk
The need for having a well functioning communications system throughout the emergency services is described in great detail in a new English report: An international study of radio interoperability.
- The Norwegian emergency radio network project has to a large extent heeded the recommendations in this report, says Mr. John Wittams of Masom Communications.
Two network tenderers remain in negotiations for new Public Safety Radio Network
Since the turn of the year, the Ministry of Justice team has been negotiating with three network tenderers and five potential suppliers of emergency control rooms. The evaluation reports became available towards the end of December 2005, and together with experts from the agencies, and hired consultants, the Ministry's emergency network project has spent the initial time in discussions in order to gain further insight into various tenders.
Following this thorough analysis and the assessment of the bid strategies that have been proposed by the different tenderers, the Ministry of Justice has decided to carry on its negotiations for the new Public Safety Radio Network with two of the three network tenderers.
Detailed review of the emergency network tenders
All candidates for the development of Norway’s new digital emergency network have now given comprehensive oral presentations of their tenders. That oral presentation gave an overview of the content in the written material which we have received from the suppliers, says Nina Myren, senior adviser. As the person in charge of the contracts she has had her hands full since 1 p.m. on 17 October 2005, the closing date for handing in tenders.
A large team of experts have since that closing date reviewed the documents from the five tenderers. - It is important to the Ministry of Justice that operational experts from the emergency agencies go through the replies given by the suppliers concerning functional requirements with regard to the new emergency network. It is great to have had so many competent and enthusiastic people from those agencies on board. That takes them “inside” the project, and it ensures the quality of the evaluations, which will now have to be done, says Tor Helge Lyngstøl, Head of Project
Five tenders for the Norwegian Public Safety System
The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police received all the tenders for Norway's new Public Safety Network and Control Rooms in good time before the deadline at 13.00 hrs. on October 17th 2005. All the tenderers arrived in person for the hand-over at the new premises of the Norwegian Public Safety Project in Nydalen, Oslo.
The Stoltenberg Government follows up on the Emergency Communications Network Development
- I am pleased that the development of the country’s new emergency communications network becomes formalised through the allocation in the Government’s budget proposal. Cabinet Minister Dørum has made impressive efforts in securing an emergency communications network for this country. He has dealt with many demanding challenges. It is also gratifying that the new governing parties declare their intention to follow up the work concerning a new common digital emergency communications network, states Mr. Tor Helge Lyngstøl, Head of Project.
-The Emergency Network is a highly necessary national effort, says former Cabinet Minister Odd Einar Dørum
- Better safety and security for everybody was always my objective during my entire period as a Norwegian minister. Although we live in uncertain times, with recurring natural disasters and terrorism, our citizens should be able to feel reassured that the authorities are doing everything to improve safety and security. That is reflected in the Government's proposal for the 2006 National Budget says Mr. Odd Einar Dørum, Minister of Justice.
Read the Press release from the Ministry of Justice here.
In connection with the budget for 2005 Stortinget has resolved to start the first development region for a new common radio communications network for the emergency agencies the police, the fire services and the health sector. This entails an increase in the allocation in the 2006 budget of approximately NOK 360 million (VAT included).
Published 14.10.2005 Last update 02.11.2005
The tenders from suppliers
The candidates wanting to supply the new emergency network in Norway are due to submit their tenders by Monday 17 October 2005 at 13.00 hrs. On 18 October 2005 at 10.00 hrs. we shall announce who the tenderers are.
The selection of suppliers will take place in a “two stage” selection process with negotiations.
Introduction to the Norwegian Public Safety Radio Project
The Norwegian government decided on the 5th November 2004 to forward a proposal for Stortinget (the Norwegian Parliament) to procure a new digital radio communication system for the Public Safety Agencies and other organisations with civil preparedness responsibilities. The parliament decided 2nd December 2004 to follow the proposal from the government.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the new public safety radio system was sent to the market on May 3rd 2005, and dead-line for submitting tenders was October 17th 2005.
