A Decade of Nødnett: Strengthening Norway’s National Preparedness

Eline Palm Paxal, Department Director for Emergency and Preparedness Communication at DSB, looks back at 10 years of a unified and secure communication system that has strengthened national preparedness.

Norway marks ten years since the launch of Nødnett, the nation’s dedicated digital critical communications network for emergency and preparedness communication. Over the past decade, Nødnett has become one of the country’s most significant investments in public safety, transforming how emergency and preparedness agencies collaborate and respond during both daily operations and national crises.

Nødnett serves as the secure, nationwide radio communication platform for emergency services and preparedness stakeholders. Used by the three emergency services, the Central Emergency Response Centre, volunteers, state administrators, municipal authorities, and a broad range of additional actors, the system enables fast, reliable, and encrypted communication across organizations.

A Shared Platform for National Preparedness

Since its introduction, Nødnett has fundamentally reshaped communication within Norway’s emergency landscape by replacing disparate, vulnerable analogue systems with a unified, encrypted network offering secure and interoperable communication.

“– Nødnett has given a significant boost to preparedness in Norway. It is far more than a technical system. It is a common communication system that links preparedness actors more closely together,” says Eline Palm Paxal, Department Director for Emergency and Preparedness Communication at DSB.

Enhancing Coordination and Saving Lives

Nødnett’s group communication model enables emergency services to build a shared situational picture while en route to an incident. This real-time exchange of information supports faster decision-making and more coordinated deployment of resources.

“– I am absolutely certain that Nødnett has helped save lives. When the emergency services share the same situational picture, they can react faster and send the right resources,” adds Eline Palm Paxal.

Growing Adoption, Stronger Preparedness

Over the past ten years, Nødnett has continuously evolved. Infrastructure has been strengthened, system capacity expanded, and the number of users steadily increased. This growth has enhanced Norway’s ability to manage crises collectively.

“– With more users, we get better preparedness and crisis management. We meet and practice across the board, get to know each other and can work more effectively together when situations arise. For example, several grid companies have used Nødnett as an operational liaison. This collaboration has made us better equipped to handle the consequences of power outages, as we experienced during storm Amy,” says Eline Palm Paxal.

The network’s importance extends beyond national borders. Norway, Sweden, and Finland remain the only European countries with operational cross-border emergency communication, enabling seamless collaboration during incidents and large-scale operations.

“– It simplifies cooperation between the countries, both at border crossings and during incidents. For example, Norway provided firefighters and helicopters when more than 60 forest fires raged in Sweden in 2018. Thanks to Nødnett, the Norwegian crews were able to cooperate with their Swedish colleagues on their own communications equipment,” highlights Eline Palm Paxal.

A Milestone for National Safety

A decade after its deployment, Nødnett stands as a cornerstone of Norway’s preparedness architecture—strengthening coordination, improving safety, and enhancing national resilience. As the system continues to evolve, it remains integral to safeguarding communities and supporting emergency responders throughout the country.