The Mission Critical Technology Trends overview by Erillisverkot Group explains why the authorities´ transitions to the 5G era is taking so long. The communication and information retrieval needs of authorities fundamentally do not differ from consumer usage, but the mission critical operating environment imposes special requirements on technology. The latest review focused on 5G technology also presents the opportunities that 5G technology offers for Finland´s next generation mission critical Virve services.
The biggest benefits of 5G will not be visible on your mobile phone screen but, in transport, energy production and emergency services, for example, wrotes Antti Kauppinen, CTO at Erillisverkot Group.
The operating environment of Erillisverkot continued to be affected by a number of changes. Persistent megatrends are climate change and the crisis of the earth’s ecological carrying capacity, as well as the problems with democracy and the economy. Factors affecting working life include the diversification of working methods and the availability of competent staff. In addition, one of the most important drivers has been the strengthening of security and contingency and, on the other hand, the acceleration of technological development.
Erillisverkot updated its strategy in 2023. The updated strategy was published for the personnel in October and for customers and stakeholders in December. We wanted to analyse the strategy more thoroughly because of the major changes in the operating environment. The changing security context, more stringent economic development and accelerating technological development were important background factors. Finland’s membership in NATO also impacted the company’s willingness to update the strategy.
The Nordic public safety network operators have published a joint specification of requirements for broadband devices. The white paper includes requirements and guidelines on important device features. The paper was written for device manufacturers and intended to be considered when defining the future generation of handheld devices.
The broadband Virve 2 services will soon upgrade the communications of the authorities and other security operators into the new millennium. The services are currently being tested, and the deployment is about to begin as a collaborative effort – now on a new schedule that supports customer migration.
Drones and NTN satellite connections offer many kinds of benefits both for the authorities and citizens. This second Mission Critical Top Tech Trends review for 2022 by Erillisverkot discusses their current use and future possibilities
The new broadband Virve service for public safety operators is being built carefully and in stages. “We have made excellent progress, as a large part of the work has already been done. The situation could be compared to a building that already has foundations, walls and a roof – at this stage it already looks like a house,” says Ari Toivonen, Development Manager at Erillisverkot.
The first Top Tech Trends survey of Erillisverkot concentrates in particular on the future technology opportunities of the authorities and security operators. In the autumn 2021 survey, the focus is on convergence of technologies, 5G, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence and satellites.
