Norwegian Road Administration (NRA) benefit from Sepura TETRA radios on Nodnett

The Norwegian Road administration are benefiting from coverage even in mountainous parts of Norway thanks to Sepura TETRA radios and the Norwegian TETRA network, Nodnett. The upgraded system and terminals were implemented by Sepura partner, Wireless Communications AS.

The Norwegian Road Administration (NRA) is part of the Directorate of Public Roads and is responsible for maintenance, expansion and control of the public roads in Norway. The NRA now relies on communications through Sepura STP9000 terminals on the Nodnett network, with Sepura TETRA terminals proving the perfect choice for the long, harsh winters seen in the region.

"The new connection works very well. Now we have coverage all over the mountain and inside the tunnels" says Shift Leader Olav Stana, over the radio from Haukeliseter to the Road Traffic Centre in Porsgrunn.

A communications system as sophisticated as this has never been implemented in this region before, and the NRA now operates with robust and reliable communications. The Haukeliester traffic centre now has direct contact with all of the operating vehicles.

Finn Erling Berg has been project manager for the introduction of the new communication system to the Haukelifjell Bridge Station, together with the Head of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), Jan Ove Grave. Berg says: "The feedback from Haukeli (a small skiing village in the region of Østlandet) is clear, the contact has never been better at Haukeli."

Previously, the connection between the bridge station operated over analogue radios, whilst the system worked overall, it suffered in areas with limited signal range and would not work in tunnels. With Nødnett there is coverage at every point. "We are very pleased with the new technology. All the drivers now have their own radio installed in the cars, which is the same as those that the VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) operate with in Porsgrunn" says Berg.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has its own channels in the emergency network, next to emergency services. "In addition, we also have access to a co-channel that can be used in an emergency," concludes the Head of the Road Traffic Center South, Jan Ove Grave.