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Virve 2.0 is becoming a broad-band service

We have looked at the Finnish public safety network on The 3G4G Blog here. State Security Networks Group Finland (Erillisverkot) safeguards the Finnish society by offering authorities and critical operators engaged in critical infrastructure and services secure and reliable ICT services. 

At the core of the Virve 2.0 project is the secure and seamless transition from the current Virve to new services. Critical communication and mission control between authorities and other mission critical operators will be safeguarded under all circumstances. A recent update stated:

The highly tuned current Virve network for authorities will continue to work seamlessly alongside new services during the migration phase between 2023-2025. At the same time, the development of Virve 2.0 will proceed strongly in the areas of radio networks, information systems, devices, and application services.

Our desire is to conduct the development, testing and piloting of new services in close collaboration with Virve users. Preparing users for the upcoming change will also commence early on. What can they expect and when?

This is how Virve 2.0 is progressing: 

  • 2018–2019 Erillisverkot were appointed as the service provider for authorities’ mobile broad-band services. A comprehensive survey of the needs of Virve users along with interviews and workshops was started.
  • 2020 Ericsson was chosen as the provider for core information systems and Elisa was chosen as the radio network provider. Erillisverkot and Airbus Defence and Space, the provider of the current Virve network, renewed their maintenance contract, which will ensure the maintenance and usability of the current Virve during 2021–2025 with an option for an extension if needed.
  • 2021 Mission critical data subscriptions available. Procurement of devices moving forward.
  • 2022 Virve 2.0 services approved for operative use and ready for deployment.
  • 2023–2025 Migration period ongoing: current Virve services and Virve 2.0 functioning side by side.
  • 2024 The public competitive tendering for new applications (talk, data, and video services) will start once most customers have already transitioned to using Virve 2.0 services.
  • 2025– Virve 2.0 services will continue to be developed based on customer needs. The current Virve service contracts will ensure technical support for Tetra networks until 2030.

Erillisverkot published an international request for information regarding devices in the autumn of 2020. 22 organizations from around the world sent in responses. The English summary of the request for information is available here.

A Virve 2.0 mobile strategy brochure from last year is available here. 

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