Sweden migrating national comms network from TETRA to broadband

Airbus Public Safety and Security and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) have signed a seven-year contract, renewable annually for the next three years, covering the transition of Sweden’s national Rakel network from TETRA to 3GPP-standard 5G broadband, including mission-critical (MCX) system equipment and technical support.

For over two decades, the TETRA network has been the backbone of Sweden’s public safety communications. However, increasing demands for higher bandwidth, video support, real-time data and improved interoperability now require new solutions. The agreement with Airbus enables a controlled, step-by-step migration from the TETRA-based Rakel system to the Swedish Emergency Network (SWEN) — a next-generation digital network for mission-critical services based on 4G/5G.

By implementing broadband communication in accordance with the 3GPP standard — the global framework for secure and reliable mobile communications — it is expected that new opportunities for collaboration and operational efficiency will be unlocked for critical public services such as police, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services. The future network should ultimately improve collaboration capabilities, allowing end users to coordinate and carry out their missions more efficiently.

“The agreement provides us with a reliable solution: parallel operations, clear deliverables and service level agreements (SLAs), as well as a development of SWEN driven by users’ needs,” said Ronny Harpe, Head of Mission-Critical Communication Services at MSB. “We will switch systems when our users are ready — not the other way around.”

The overall goal of the agreement is to facilitate MSB transition of the existing Rakel user base and services from TETRA to a 3GPP broadband service ecosystem. To achieve this, the so-called ‘Migration Solution’ will, through incremental steps and over time, provide seamless interworking of services and functionality between the existing Rakel TETRA services and 3GPP MCX in three progressive steps.

The Migration Solution will be maintained throughout the agreement period, regardless of its underlying technical architecture. It is a precursor to the global transition of TETRA networks to broadband, aligning with a global roadmap towards 3GPP standards across critical communications.

Airbus has previously assisted in the delivery of the French Radio Network of the Future (RRF) project, which is now in the hands of end users and has paved the way for the Rakel migration. The Migration Solution developed for Rakel is expected to serve as another blueprint for TETRA networks worldwide and should strengthen Airbus’s leading position in supporting the digital transformation of large networks.

“We are proud to be trusted again by MSB, less than a year after signing a frame contract for the operational continuity of the Rakel TETRA network,” said Robert Westin, Head of Sweden at Airbus Public Safety and Security. “We are committed to continue providing solutions and services to narrowband customers while supporting a smooth transition to broadband.”

Image credit: Airbus