In Sweden, the public authorities’ nationwide Rakel network has been completed on schedule. Serving certain commercial bodies such as utility companies as well as public order, security and health organizations, the TETRA-based system now offers user organizations the ability to co-operate fully on a national scale, free of the limitations of their previous radio networks. Provided by Cassidian (the defence and security division of EADS), the new network replaces some 200 earlier communications systems.

Primary users of Rakel are Sweden’s police, coastguard, customs, rescue services, ambulance services and defence forces. Other important organizations, such as the Civil Aviation Administration and the Swedish Maritime Administration, can access the system in the event of exceptional incidents. With Rakel, users can communicate 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). With the completion in December of the last two of the project’s seven phases, covering the counties of Jämtland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten, Rakel is now in operational use throughout Sweden. It serves around 31 000 users today, a number expected to rise to 70 000 within a few years.

“The original schedule and goals could only be reached with the concerted effort and good co-operation of all partners”, commented Dirk Borchardt, of Cassidian. “The consortium has performed an excellent roll-out.”

Since the first parts of the network entered operation in April 2006, the project has delivered a robust radio communication system built around some 1700 base stations and associated switches.