DSB Addresses Nødnet Network Resilience Following Storm Amy Impact

While the Nødnett emergency network is purpose-built for resilience, the storm underscored the critical need for enhanced preparedness and alternative communication strategies.

DSB issued an official update following the extreme weather event, Amy, confirming that despite strong infrastructure resilience, significant power and transmission line failures caused temporary outages on the Nødnett network. DSB highlights the importance of preparedness, alternative communication solutions, and ongoing evaluation to enhance emergency network readiness under severe conditions.

The Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) released a formal statement addressing the operational challenges faced during extreme weather Amy, which brought hurricane-force winds and widespread power failures across several Norwegian regions. While the Nødnett emergency network is purpose-built for resilience, the storm underscored the critical need for enhanced preparedness and alternative communication strategies.

Nødnett, designed with robust backup power capabilities ranging from 8 to 48 hours and dual telecommunications routes, continued to operate longer than traditional mobile networks amidst the power outages. However, extensive damage to regional power and transmission infrastructure resulted in temporary disruptions affecting approximately 130 of the network’s 2,100 base stations at the peak of the storm’s impact.

“The weather conditions during Amy were exceptional, with numerous trees collapsing onto power lines and causing widespread outages,” said Eline Palm Paxal, Department Director at DSB and responsible for Nødnett. “Although Nødnett is engineered for high availability, such extreme events remind us that no system is entirely immune. Preparedness and alternative solutions are essential.”

The most severely impacted regions included parts of Sør-Trøndelag, extending into Møre og Romsdal, as well as certain municipalities in Rogaland and Telemark. By Sunday evening, services had been restored to around 100 of the affected base stations as power gradually returned.

To mitigate future risks, DSB emphasised the importance for emergency and preparedness agencies to plan for localised Nødnett usage in isolation, should connections to the central network fail. Contingency measures, such as satellite communications and mobile base stations, remain vital components of the national strategy.DSB confirmed that multiple mobile base stations were placed on standby during Amy, with close coordination between emergency services to determine optimal deployment locations. The organisation also highlighted strengthened cooperation with grid operators, including Tensio and Klive, to ensure prioritised restoration of power to critical Nødnett infrastructure.

“Nødnett is monitored around the clock, with rapid-response ground teams and continuous coordination with telecommunications providers,” added Paxal. “We have seen significant improvements in recent years, especially in how grid companies are prioritizing emergency communications during crises.”

Looking ahead, DSB will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Nødnett’s performance during Storm Amy. This review will incorporate feedback from emergency and preparedness users, with a particular focus on alternative operational methods employed during outages. The findings will inform future enhancements in national resilience and emergency communication protocols.

Photo: Courtesey of Stian Olberg