Sweden’s public-safety agencies will use a Tetra network for wireless communications, a decision that comes after some had considered using a CDMA network for such communications.
The Swedish Defence Material Administration announced the Tetra decision. The network will be installed in stages through 2009 by a consortium of Saab, Nokia Corp. and Swedia Networks. The network will be for the Swedish police, rescue services, customs, coast guard and armed forces. Tetra is used throughout Europe for public-safety agencies.
Some had argued for a CDMA network in the 450 MHz band for the country’s public-safety agencies. Proponents said the technology offered wide coverage and a variety of equipment suppliers. CDMA in the 450 MHz band is gaining steam throughout Eastern Europe and Asia, with several carriers deploying the technology and various equipment vendors supporting it.
However, CDMA in the 450 MHz band may still be deployed in Sweden, according to CDMA proponent Lucent Technologies Inc. Lucent said Sweden’s Tetra system is working on the 380-400 MHz band. Sweden is considering offering up the 450 MHz band for a public wireless network. Neither Nokia nor Sweden’s regulatory agency was immediately available for comment.
