Appendix 1
A common understanding
shared by Nodnet, Directorate for emergency communication,
Virve, and
Rakel and Command & Control Systems, the Civil Contingencies Agency.
Access to the 700-MHz frequency band is required for next
generation Mission Critical Radio Communication systems
Protection of citizens and society now and in the future requires radio communication
Uncertainties
in the European security situation,
threats from terrorism (e.g. Paris 13.11.2015) and
increase in extreme weather conditions, contribute
communication
to a situation where mission critical
must be secured. This is also the case in the Nordic Countries.
Today the operational
personnel in Public Protection and Disaster Relief organisations
("PPDR") in
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden use TETRAradio systems in the 380-400 MHz frequency
range. These networks have extensive radio coverage, they are well protected against eavesdropping
and they operate independent
of commercial mobile networks.
TETRA is excellent for voice communication
between operational personnel in their day-to-day
operations to protect society and the technology is well suited for handling critical situations.
Also in the future voice communication
will continue to be crucial in critical situations. During daily
operations access to data systems from the field via mobile broadband services will also become
increasingly important.
Robustness and availability
important
in the mobile communication
as now. Present functionality
mode terminal-to-terminal
systems for PPDR will be at least as
will still be needed, e.g. fast group communication
outside network coverage. Radio coverage will be expected «everywhere».
The present TETRA systems can be used for many years, but it is still important
generation mobile communication
mobile communication
and direct
to prepare
for the next
systems. Relevant decisions must be taken today to secure suitable
for PPDR in the future.
Use of the 700-MHz band for PPDR communications
ensures harmonisations
and interoperability.
High equipment volumes and technology roadmap is needed to secure future systems to be
affordable.
If qualified decisions within this area are not taken in time, there will be no options for future
generations regarding how future PPDR communication
challenges can be handled.
A mobile broadband network dedicated for PPDR organisations is the best option
There is an urgent need to take actions to secure reliable mobile broadband services for PPDR
organisations
and other key players for the future. Demand for bandwidth
that now start working in PPDR organisations
is increasing. Generations
are used to having access to "everything"
when moving
around, and they will require professional, secure mobile systems that makes it possible to access and
share relevant information.
Data collecting and sharing will become more important
during incidents
and crises management.
There are three options to realise future broadband systems for PPDR:
Dedicated systems —as today
Virtual systems - implemented
in software within the commercial mobile carriers' networks
1
Appendix 1
A common understanding shared by Nodnet, Directorate for emergency communication,
Rakel and Command & Control Systems, the Civil Contingencies Agency.
3.
Virve, and
Hybrid solutions —dedicated networks in some areas, virtual systems elsewhere
Options 1 and 3 above are both dependent on PPDR organisations
getting access to dedicated radio
spectrum. If no spectrum is allocated to PPDR, option 2 is the only one left.
Presently it is being questioned whether commercial networks can offer functionality
and sufficient
technical quality, robustness and security for PPDR use. No qualified estimates exist regarding the
cost of a possible robustness upgrade of commercial networks to a level that is adequate for PPDR
use. There will be no guarantee that commercial operators will be willing to meet the needs of PPDR,
therefore additional regulatory measures in an otherwise liberalised sector will be needed.
Dedicated networks will undoubtedly provide the best security and data safety and greater
possibilities for sending large volumes of important
and mission critical data such as video recordings
of crime scenes, accidents or fires and improve procedures and performance.
The 700 MHz-band is pointed to as the only realistic alternative
future emergency communication
to achieve a harmonised solution for
systems in Europe. This band is well suited for achieving high
percentage area coverage and good indoor coverage without having to invest in unrealistic,
extensive, and expensive infrastructures.
The radio frequency spectrum is a finite and increasingly precious world resource. Actions must be
taken today regarding the 700-MHz band to be able to prepare for PPDR needs in the near future.
The PPDR organizations' control of a dedicated network is needed because commercial networks
are vulnerable
PPDR communication
systems must provide a more secure and reliable service. For National security
reasons, the authorities
must have full control of all security aspects of the communications,
ensuring that the networks are protected against information
including
leakage and cyber-attacks.
Commercial mobile networks are designed for delivering best effort class mobile services to the
general public at the lowest possible cost. The trend in commercial telecommunications
is more
outsourcing and more use of cloud computing technology. This means that also the core of
commercial mobile networks and the control of such networks can be located almost anywhere in the
world.
A PPDR-dedicated spectrum for mobile broadband networks can be used by railways, military and
electricity companies
In order to improve
resources
general
is advised. Military
can communicate
emergency
preparedness
organisations
a closer co - operation
between
civil and military
need reliable networks and networks where they easily
securely with PPDR organisations. A shared civilian/military
broadband network
will also improve cost efficiency of future dedicated mobile networks for both sectors.
Even higher socio-economic efficiency could be achieved if organisations
infrastructures
responsible for
like power grids, railways and roads could be users of networks in the same frequency
band.
Electricity supply companies are responsible for one of the most critical resources in today's society,
and they require mobile radio systems with high availability
even during widespread power failures.
The railway companies are expected to be replacing their current GSM-R systems with mobile
2
Appendix 1
A common understanding shared by Nodnet, Directorate for emergency communication,
Rakel and Command & Control Systems, the Civil Contingencies Agency.
Virve, and
broadband systems in the 2020s. It is hard to see that railway control systems can be based on
commercial networks without sacrificing safety, but well-designed PPDR-class systems can most
probably satisfy the railways' requirements.
Use of the 700-MHz band ensures high equipment volumes and technology roadmap
TETRA is the first mobile communication
system for PPDR that is based on an open standard. In
Europe the 380-400 MHz frequency band is harmonised for PPDR use, and all PPDR TETRAnetworks
in Europe therefore use this frequency band. Standardisation
end user equipment prices compared to non-standard
in PPDR organisations
and harmonisation
has resulted in low
systems, even if the estimated number of users
is estimated to only 1% of the total commercial mobile market.
In order to benefit also from economy of scale in the commercial market, the next PPDR dedicated
technological solution should be based on commercial off-the-shelf
frequencies.
components and harmonised
Even if PPDR to some extent requires specialised handsets, the key components should
be the same to avoid becoming a niche market.
USA, Canada and France have selected the 700-MHz frequency band and LTE technology for their
PPDR mobile broadband technology. They have all done so as a result of disasters: Katrina, terrorist
attack on Parliament and Charlie Hebdo.
Cross-border interoperability requires harmonization
PPDR organisations
handle domestic incidents, incidents along national borders and incidents across
borders. The TETRAnetworks in Norway and Sweden will in 2016 be interconnected,
communication
and cross-border
will be improved. So far these are the only two countries in the world where users in
national PPDR networks can use their radio also in the neighbouring
countries recognise the importance
Future mobile PPDR systems must secure interoperability
border communication
country. However all Nordic
of cross border communication.
across national borders. lmproved cross
will make more effective incident handling possible. Resources in neighbouring
countries can support each other in a more efficient way than presently.
Dedicated broadband systems are well suited to such interconnection.
Conclusions
The 700 MHz radio frequency band will be allocated for mobile broadband communication
in
the Nordic countries.
PPDR organisations
need secure and reliable broadband radio systems to support their work
to protect society.
Part of the 700 MHz frequency band should be dedicated for use by PPDR organisations
in the
future.
To secure cross-border interoperability
the frequency range should be the same in all Nordic
countries.
lf frequencies for PPDR are not secured now, the alternative
is to realise next generation
PPDR radio systems inside the commercial networks. This will require a major shift in the
present regulations regime.
3
Appendix 1
A common unclerstanding shared by Nodnet, Directorate for emergency communication,
Rakel and Command & Control Systems, the Civil Contingencies Agency.
6.
Virve, and
How PPDR radio networks are to be built and operated in the 700 MHz frequency band will be
decided on national basis.
4