TETRA  |  2016-03-11

DNK to review Nødnett subscription fee for Emergency Services

Source: MCCResources

DNK (Directorate for Emergency Communications) has undertaken a review of their subscription scheme, in order to offer a perfect fit for communications on the TETRA network for the Norwegian Emergency Services.

DNK has undertaken a review of the subscription scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. The purpose is developing the scheme so that it serves the emergency services in the best possible way.

"We know that many have been waiting for this review and we are happy that it shows that our users are very satisfied with Nødnett", says Nina Myren, Deputy Director General DNK at DNK. "The review also shows that the model has some challenges", says Myren.
 
About the scheme

The Norwegian Parliament has decided that users should pay for the costs of operation of the Emergency Network. The subscription scheme in its present form is the result of an investigation which started in 2003 where emergency services and DNK formed a workgroup.
 
"Now that Nødnett has been in use for some time, we now have experienced valuable  output. Yet it is early to finally conclude about usage patterns, characteristics and challenges given that many users have only recently joined Nødnett thus have limited experience", says Myren.
 
Main findings

The review shows that the subscription payment model is generally accepted. However, it is also revealed some weaknesses. There are also some distortions in the allocation of costs, in particular between small and large users groups within the same sector.
 
The review also shows that some users are finding that the cost associated with using Nødnett is high.

To keep current users and to ensure an uptake of more users on the network, DNK preliminary recommends that it is essential that the subscription fee will not be increased. 

Picture: Credit Olav Heggø - Original article: DNK