Debate: Use commercial mobile networks for blue light!

Broadband Digital infrastructure Competition

Don't build new ones - let the police, armed forces and emergency services use existing commercial mobile networks. Procurement via the commercial networks is at least as secure, more cost-effective and provides better functionality and capacity than if the state builds a separate blue light network, which would be unused for long periods, write three telecom companies together with IT&Telekomföretagen in a joint debate article.

In July, an inquiry was commissioned to propose a new communication solution for the police, the armed forces and the emergency services, among others. These so-called blue light actors currently use the communication system Rakel, mainly adapted for voice communication, far from the rest of society's degree of digitization.

There is no doubt that the blue light actors are in great need of a future-proof platform for mobile communication. Therefore, it is important that this covers in the best possible way the needs of the actors in their critical activities. In simple terms, the choice is between building a new separate network or using the commercial mobile networks, supplemented with special solutions with a high degree of security.

There are several advantages to using commercial networks:

  • Current and future commercial (4G/5G) mobile networks can handle many different needs from different activities, and have all the prerequisites to meet the security and functionality requirements of the emergency services. In addition, a commercial blue light network can be designed in such a way that the relevant authorities have the possibility of special transparency and control.
  • Commercial operators are in a much better position to develop the network. The improvements driven by competition and digitalization will also benefit blue light operators. Today's Rakel is a clear example of a separate blue light network struggling to keep up with rapid developments.
  • Building a new separate radio network involves huge investment and operating costs. The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority estimates that the operating costs alone would amount to 1.5 billion/year.
  • A commercial network solution can be implemented much faster than building a new separate network, which is estimated to take at least 5 years.
  • A separate blue light network will be completely or partially unused for long periods, resulting in inefficient use of spectrum. If the services are instead delivered via a commercial mobile network, the services of the blue light operators can be prioritized when needed and otherwise used for other activities.

Procuring the blue light network via the commercial networks is thus at least as safe, more cost-effective, faster to implement and provides better functionality, capacity and significantly more efficient frequency use compared to a separate blue light network.

The inquiry will also review whether the blue light operators' future communication solution should be allocated exclusive space in the so-called 700 MHz band, which the government decided in 2014 should be freed up primarily for mobile broadband in sparsely populated areas. This is worrying as it would be at the expense of the necessary expansion of mobile broadband in sparsely populated areas - completely unnecessary, as harmonized frequencies for a future blue light network are available. There is therefore no contradiction between auctioning the 700 band and a secure and robust network for blue light authorities.

In July this year, PTS invited to an auction of the 700 MHz band with the stated aim of improving mobile coverage in areas where there are currently shortcomings. The fact that an investigator, at the same time as PTS invites to auction, is tasked with reviewing whether a solution for the blue light operators should be placed in the same frequency band, is strange to say the least.

Sweden has set high targets for broadband access. By 2020, 90 percent of the population should have access to broadband with a speed of at least 100 Mbit/s. If this is to be achieved and people are to be able to both live and run businesses outside the cities, it is essential that as much of the 700 band as possible is made available to improve access to digital services throughout Sweden.

Hélène Barnekow, CEO Telia Sverige AB

Patrik Hofbauer, CEO Telenor Sweden AB

Peder Ramel, Managing Director Hi3G Access AB

Anne-Marie Fransson, Director of IT&Telecom Confederation