DSB has been working on the planning of a new emergency network for several years, and in 2020 DSB submitted a concept study to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (JD) with a description of alternative solutions to meet society's need for emergency and emergency communications in the future.
The choice of concept was made in 2023, and DSB was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security to plan a future-oriented solution for communication and information sharing. The solution must be robust and secure, with good coverage and capacity.
Preliminary project for a new Nødnett
In 2024, the pilot project has further developed and detailed the concept chosen by the government. A central management document will be prepared that will provide a sufficient basis for assessing the project's uncertainty, a recommendation on a cost framework, and provide guidelines for the management of the project in the implementation phase. The pre-project is carried out in line with the state's project model.
In the pre-project, descriptions of the solution, implementation strategies, prerequisites and drivers for user transition, financing models, contract strategies, service offerings, etc. have been prepared.
The pilot project has been carried out in collaboration with the emergency services' specialist directorates, their operational and competence environments, Nkom, other countries' similar projects, as well as from other relevant actors. Both user involvement and market dialogue have been key to effective implementation.
Main activities 2025
In the spring of 2025, the main activity on the road to a new emergency network will be external quality assurance of the recommendations in the policy document.
In addition, DSB will work in 2025 to prepare procurements. This involves preparing requirement specifications based on all the experience and knowledge gained in the pre-project. User organizations will be involved to ensure that the right needs are identified for the basis for requirements specification.
The goal is to get a Storting decision in 2025 on funding and the start of an implementation project in 2026.
All users will be switched to a new Nødnett
All current users on Nødnett will join the new Nødnett. In total, there are approximately 150,000 end users in Nødnett. The emergency services police, health service and fire and rescue services make up about 75% of the users. Other user groups are voluntary rescue organisations, customs, power companies, and a number of other smaller players with emergency preparedness responsibilities. In total, there are around 1000 different user organizations that use Nødnett.
In the transition to the new solution, current users of Nødnett will be prioritised, but arrangements will be made for other relevant user groups to be incorporated into the solution in the long term.
Transferring users is a demanding task and it is necessary to have sufficient time for the transition. In the work in the pilot project, we have seen that a geographically divided transfer of users may be appropriate. The transfer can follow the division into one or more police districts at a time.
It is important to maintain cooperation, and it should be considered that user groups that cooperate carry out the transition in a coordinated manner. User groups that have a low degree of cooperation can carry out the transition nationally, regionally or per organisation.
Training will be provided in advance of the transition and will mainly be digital.
The goal is, in line with the assignment letter from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, to get today's Nødnett users over to a new Nødnett network by 2031 at the latest.
User involvement
The transition to a new Nødnett is a major task. It is important for DBS to involve the current users of Nødnett in the planning of the new one. Together, we must design and plan solutions that talk to each other. This is crucial for maintaining and continuing the important synergies and the Nødnett effect.
In 2025, DSB will work on preparing procurements. This involves preparing requirement specifications based on all the experience and knowledge gained in the pre-project. User organizations will be involved to ensure that the right needs are identified for the basis for requirements specification.
Nordic co-operation on cross-border communication
Norway, Sweden and Finland have connected their respective TETRA-based emergency networks today. The emergency response actors in the countries can therefore communicate across borders and when assisting in neighbouring countries. Collaboration across the countries is facilitated with joint Nordic voice groups and procedures.
Cross-border emergency communication is highly valued by users. DSB, together with MSB in Sweden and Erillisverkot in Finland, is committed to offering cross-border communication services also in our new networks that are being planned.
Although the projects in the different countries appear to be proceeding at different paces, the goal is to ensure service continuity for the cross-border services throughout the transition period from the current solution to the new Nødnett. A joint project has been established for the three countries to take a closer look at this issue.