The Erillisverkot Group has chosen Elisa to be the exclusive supplier of the the new public safety network, Virve 2.0, for use by public authorities.
Virve 2.0 subcribers will use Elisa’s public radio network, which the operator is expanding to become Finland’s largest data and voice network.
About 80 million messages pass through the Virve system every week. Elisa is committed to increasing the coverage, capacity and verification of its mobile network to meet the requirements of Virve 2.0.
“Our long-term cooperation with state administration and security actors is now being taken to a new level. The goal is nothing less than the world’s highest-quality service for authorities and Finland’s most comprehensive mobile phone and data network,” said Timo Katajisto, Director of Elisa’s Corporate Customer unit.
New services, long-term cooperation
The new online services will provide support for critical communication between public authorities and other parties.
The addition of image, video, and other wireless broadband services alongside existing Virve services will enable a better and more up-to-date view of the day-to-day operations of authorities and other actors.
The IoT enables automatic monitoring of rescue personnel and mobile use of surveillance cameras and drones.
The Virve 2.0 radio network service will be in use from 2021 and will include the 4G and 5G technologies and the internet of things. The contract is for ten years.
Critical operations
Timo Lehtimäki, CEO of Erillisverkot Group, said, “The importance of Virve in critical operations cannot be overstated. The next generation of Virve will be one of the most important governmental ICT projects in the coming years…
“Virve will facilitate seamless cooperation between the authorities and other public safety operators, crucial in daily life but also in crisis situations, such as the current coronavirus pandemic.”