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The Swedish Civil Defence Agency has signed framework agreements with Telia and Net4Mobility for the establishment of SWEN – The Swedish Emergency Network. The network will strengthen the ability of critical public-sector organisations to communicate, collaborate and coordinate operations using modern voice, data and video technologies.
The primary framework agreement has been awarded to Telia, while the secondary framework agreement has been awarded to Net4Mobility. By leveraging existing commercial infrastructure as the foundation for the radio access network, the agency is creating the right conditions for SWEN investments to deliver maximum benefit to society.
The procurement provides several layers of robustness and redundancy, which in turn contribute to enhanced security for users.
“With a resilient network, we contribute to creating a resilient society under normal conditions, during crises or in wartime,” says Åke Holmgren, Head of Cybersecurity and Critical Communications Services at the Swedish Civil Defence Agency.
Commercial mobile networks will become an important part of the SWEN infrastructure. The procurement is based on one of several strategic choices aimed at creating a resilient network that meets users’ requirements.
The framework agreements ensure nationwide coverage, contributing to the rapid deployment of SWEN in accordance with the timetable established by the agency.
The agreement with Telia also covers the activation of the intended SWEN frequencies in the 700 MHz spectrum to further strengthen network resilience.
SWEN will replace Rakel, and commercial mobile networks are essential to making the transition from Rakel to SWEN possible.
Rakel operates its own radio network based on TETRA technology, while SWEN will largely be based on 4G and 5G technologies.
During a transition period, Rakel and SWEN will operate in parallel. A dedicated migration solution will enable communications between the two systems and establish the conditions for a gradual and secure transition to SWEN.
The agreements also include responsibility on the part of the RAN providers for operational security, operational stability, availability, quality and security.
Through the agreements, the agency imposes requirements regarding security-protection levels and security solutions adapted to the needs of Sweden’s civil defence.
The contract awards represent an important step towards providing future SWEN users with access to modern mobile communications based on 4G and 5G, as well as solutions for the transmission of particularly security-sensitive data.
The Swedish Civil Defence Agency is developing SWEN, the next-generation national communications network for organisations operating in public order, security, healthcare and defence.
SWEN is currently under development and will become a communications network providing services to the more than 700 organisations that currently use Rakel.
