Ericsson and Erillisverkot – the next chapter

When disaster strikes, every second counts. Whether it’s a raging fire in the centre of a bustling city, or a medical emergency in a remote mountain village, the ability to communicate quickly and effectively can be the difference between life and death. For Finnish police, fire and rescue, and paramedics, access to instant reliable information is paramount. That’s why Erillisverkot is leveraging Ericsson’s next-generation dual-mode core 5G network and mission-critical mobile communication solutions to deliver Virve 2, a cutting-edge broadband PPDR network empowering Finnish first responders with seamless connectivity, real-time information and enhanced capabilities, like location accuracy and video communication, so they can protect the public in emergency situations and support the national ecosystem, including excellent co-operation between public safety authorities.

Finland’s legacy Virve TETRA narrowband network has served the nation’s emergency services for over two decades, but it can no longer keep up with the modern demands of first responders and the evolving landscape of public safety. First responders need to have unwavering trust in their communication tools, and the public needs to know that when an emergency strikes, help will arrive quickly.

• Data bandwidth
  Bandwidth restrictions impact the ability to share rich media like video and images in real time, hindering effective communication during emergency situations.
• Geographical coverage
  Ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage across Finland, including remote and challenging terrains requires significant infrastructure investment.
• Network capacity
  As the number of users and devices on the network grows and the demand for data-intensive applications increases, narrowband networks can struggle to provide the necessary capacity and performance.
• Voice and Data interoperability
  Collaboration and coordination during joint operations is key - interoperability with other organizations is critical.
• Evolving security concerns
  Evolving cyber threats and the increasing reliance on connected devices require more advanced and robust security measures to protect sensitive information.
• Support for modern technologies
  Modern applications and technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR), are crucial for streamlining decision-making and enhancing the efficiency of emergency response.

The transition to Virve 2 overcomes these challenges. Based on commercial mobile 3GPP technology, with enhancements to meet security, availability and resilience, it provides advanced capabilities leveraged through Ericsson’s next-generation dual-mode core 5G network and solutions, including high-speed data transmission, prioritization, real-time video sharing, and improved interoperability with modern technologies – creating a secure and resilient platform for public safety, now and in the future.

The solution includes:

• Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G core network on a common cloud-native platform.
• Ericsson’s mission-critical solutions specifically designed for public safety networks (Ericsson NFVI, Dynamic Orchestration, VoLTE).
• Leveraging existing commercial 4G/5G network infrastructure.

Solution advantages

• Enhanced situational awareness: Virve 2 provides first responders with real-time access to critical information, including live video feeds and high-resolution images, enabling them to make faster, more informed decisions.
• Seamless communication and collaboration: Group video calls, push-to-talk (PTT) functionality and real-time data sharing via drones or body cameras improves response times. For example, paramedics can now video call hospital staff en route, saving vital minutes.
• Increased coverage: With 97% geographical coverage, Virve 2 provides first responders with reliable connectivity across a wider geographical area, including remote and challenging terrain, ensuring they can communicate effectively wherever and whenever they’re needed.
• Increased efficiency: Advanced capabilities, such as pinpoint location accuracy, optimize resource allocation, streamline workflows and enhance the overall efficiency of public safety operations.
• Increased reliability: Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G core network provides improved capacity and availability, eliminating single points of failure and reducing dropped calls.
• Enhanced security: Virve 2 is designed to meet the critical use security standards, complying with the Finnish National Security Audit Criteria (Katakri). Its robust features, including encryption and prioritization, ensure confidentiality, safeguarding information security and protecting data integrity.
• Scalable: Built on Ericsson’s 5G core network, Virve 2 is a scalable solution that can easily integrate new technologies, ensuring Finland’s PPDR network remains at the forefront of innovation.
• Cost efficient: Utilizing the capabilities of the Virve 2 public safety network, it is more cost efficient than building a dedicated network. The roll out and development of Virve 2 is game-changing for 5G PPDR network and services.
• Unlock new opportunities for innovation: Utilizing the latest technology, such as AR and VR applications, AI and IoT, will transform public safety and emergency response. For example, AR applications in fire fighters’ helmets could enhance situational awareness and positioning, or drones equipped with AI and IoT sensors could quickly assess and relay critical information about large-scale emergencies like forest fires in sparsely populated areas.

Since winning the tender with Erillisverkot in 2020 to transform Finland's PPDR network, Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core network products and solutions are already making a huge impact. With a secure broadband connection, first responders now have reliable, real-time access to critical information and applications, enabling them to provide life-saving assistance at a much faster rate. Users are already praising the increased efficiency and seamless information the network enables. But this is just the beginning. Ericsson continues to collaborate with Erillisverkot to ensure their services remain at the forefront of technology and innovation.

The project represents a pivotal shift in public safety communication for a more connected future, empowering first responders with the tools and intelligence they need to help save lives. Together, Ericsson and Erillisverkot have created a model for other government-owned operators to follow, proving that with vision, partnership, and next-generation technology, there are no boundaries to public protection. 

All users will be fully migrated to Virve 2 by the end of 2028.