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| TETRA network RAKEL a communication network provided by Cassidian has widened the span of communication |
The Swedish authorities nationwide TETRA network RAKEL, provided by Cassidian, has been rolled out right on schedule. The network will give user organisations the possibility to cooperate fully on a national scale. This means that they are no longer limited by their radio networks. Serving public order, security and health organisations, it is also used by commercial parties such as utility companies.
The primary users of the shared RAKEL network are the police, coastguard,customs, rescue services, ambulance services and defence forces. In addition, other important community organisations, such as the Civil Aviation Administration and the Swedish Maritime Administration, can access the system in the event of exceptional incidents. RAKEL allows its users to co-operate more easily and effectively with one another in their daily work, even if their tasks take them away from their normal area of operation.
RAKEL was delivered by a consortium consisting of Saab, Cassidian and Eltel Networks contracted by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) in December 2010. The final two of the project's seven phases incorporated the geographical areas of Jämtland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten, meaning that RAKEL is now in operational use throughout Sweden. It serves around 31,000 users today, a number slated to rise to 70,000 within a few years.
Running over a period of five years, the project has delivered a robust radio communication system which consists of around 1,700 base stations and a number of switches, replacing 200 communications systems. The components have been set up in places ranging from the very southern parts of Sweden all the way up to the northernmost regions. The first parts of the network have been in operation since April 2006.
Dirk Borchardt, Head of Security and Communication Solutions at Cassidian Systems, highlights: "The original schedule and goals could only be reached with the concerted effort and good cooperation of all partners. The consortium has performed an excellent roll-out."