Sweden's Rakel network to pilot data services

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has selected Airbus Defence and Space (formerly Cassidian) to work on a secure data services pilot for the Rakel nationwide radio communications network. The project aims to complement the existing public safety radio networks by using multiple commercial broadband mobile networks, allowing real-time access to mission-related information and a wide range of advanced multimedia services.

The project, which will run until the end of May 2014, is a cooperation between the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), the Swedish National Police, Uppsala ambulance services, Falu municipality and Airbus Defence and Space as the technical supplier. It includes secure, high-speed mobile broadband access using several commercial mobile networks for enhanced data coverage and availability. The service is handled by the Airbus Defence and Space user management tool Tactilon, which is also used for the Rakel TETRA network.

The Rakel network is one of the largest secure TETRA radio communications networks in the world. It serves all main security forces in Sweden, totalling more than 300 organisations such as the police, coastguard, customs, rescue services, ambulance services, armed forces, defence forces and also municipalities and private companies. It enables the user organisations to cooperate fully on a national scale. Serving public order, security and health organisations, it is also used by commercial parties such as utility companies. The network has more than 50,000 subscribers, a number expected to rise to 70,000 within a few years.