Erillisverkot Selected as the Operator of the Mobile Broadband Service for Authorities in Finland

Company’s task is to ensure smooth communications for authorities. The Virve 2.0 broadband service is based on commercial mobile services, which will be selected by Erillisverkot, based on a tendering process. The Virve 2.0 solution will be implemented in stages up until 2025.

The Ministry of Finance has launched a development programme (MoVi) that will cover the deployment of next-generation broadband services for authorities (Virve 2.0) in stages up until 2025. The aim is to satisfy mission-critical communication needs that require broadband data transfers. The MoVi development programme will exploit digitalisation, in accordance with the Finnish Government Programme and the Internal Security Strategy. Another aim of the programme is to ensure that the requirements on mission-critical broadband services are met. The current commercial mobile networks do not satisfy these requirements in terms of their functionalities, availability and management.

Erillisverkot was selected as the Virve 2.0 operator through its group member company, Suomen Virveverkko Oy, which has provided Virve network services to Finnish PPDR authorities and other critical operators for nearly 20 years. The Virve 2.0 mobile broadband solution will utilize commercial mobile broadband networks, particularly the radio network. These will be selected on the basis of a tendering process. The transition from the current Tetra-based Virve services to the next-generation broadband services will take place in stages in parallel with technological development and standardization.

Developing a pan-European mobile broadband solution for authorities

The Finnish mission-critical broadband solution is developed in cooperation with other security network operators in the EU. The aim is to build a harmonious pan-European mobile broadband solution and create a market for ongoing technological development. With the Virve 2.0 programme, Finland wants to become a forerunner, influence the standardization policy of future 3GPP broadband technologies and have an active role in the TCCA (the Critical Communications Association).

“Cooperation and communication between Finnish authorities is exceptionally efficient, as is the ecosystem that supports critical communications. These new information-driven services enable us to expand the cooperation between authorities and use more efficient practices. We are committed to our special duty of guaranteeing mission-critical services under all circumstances. Virve 2.0 will be built in close cooperation between all the parties. Its key elements are the continuity of mission-critical services and efficient solutions that can also be developed further in the future”, says Timo Lehtimäki, CEO of State Security Networks Group Finland (Erillisverkot).