Ericsson will supply 5G next-generation core network products to Erillisverkot Group, the state-run body for national communication networks for public authorities, emergency services and other critical services in Finland.
The next-generation Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) network initiative, called Virve 2.0, is based on commercial mobile 3GPP technology for security, availability and resilience.
Ericsson said that public safety agencies are turning to mobile solutions provided by 4G and 5G development to secure and accelerate the sharing of data, images and video.
Under the 10-year deal, Erillisverkot Group will use Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G core portfolio on a common cloud-native platform as well as Ericsson’s NFVI, Dynamic Orchestration and VoLTE solutions, alongside related deployment, learning and support services.
The network is expected to be operational by mid-2021 and the company will migrate to next-generation Virve 2.0 technology by 2025.
"The importance of Virve in critical operations cannot be overstated. The next generation of Virve will be one of the most important governmental ICT project in the coming years, and naturally, a high priority for us at Erillisverkot,” said Timo Lehtimäki CEO of Erillisverkot. “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."
Meanwhile, Ericsson has partnered with Magyar Telekom to launch 5G networks in Hungary with initial services to be in parts of Budapest and Magyar’s headquarters in Könyves Kálmán körút.
The 5G network launch comes just two weeks after Magyar Telekom secured the related 3.5 GHz spectrum in Hungary’s spectrum auction on March 26. The network will be accessible to subscribers via 5G-ready devices.
