According to a statement released by Finnish authorities, the test took place in a ‘genuine operational environment’, with participants including the State Security Networks Group (which owns the country’s TETRA system, Virve), telecoms company Elisa, Nokia and the Helsinki Police.
Speaking of the test, a spokesperson for State Security Networks Group said: “Implementation of critical communications services using commercial operators’ mobile networks requires stability and service continuity.
“Prioritisation of public safety communications over other traffic - as well as access to services during network congestion - are prerequisites for the use of commercial mobile networks by public safety agencies for critical communication.”
Chairman of the TCCA’s critical communications broadband group Tero Pesonen said: “It is very good to see the broadband industry, MNOs and public safety operators testing key 4G network capabilities together.
"This all adds up to a common understanding of how networks work, how they need to be configured, and what the impacts are to operational procedures. It also contributes to the identification of potential legal restrictions.
“PPDR [public protection and disaster relief] and other critical communications users need to have uncompromised trust in their broadband service, until it can form their sole communication tool. Tests like this are an important step in that direction.”
The test was carried out in December.
