Official start of the Bulgarian TETRA network deployed by Nokia
May 27, 2003
The first TETRA network on the Balkans, developed by Nokia is build for the needs of the Bulgarian National Service Border Police and is financed by the Phare program of the EU.
The first TETRA network in the Balkans started operation today in Sofia. The ribbon of the control operational center was officially cut by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria Boyko Kotsev and the First Secretary of the Delegation of the European Commission to Bulgaria Christof Stock, as well as Stefan Widomski, Senior Vice President of Nokia Networks.
"This moment is exceptionally important because we celebrate not only the start of the first TETRA network on the Balkans, but also the beginning of a new phase, of a higher level of mobility, security and communication. Nokia invested in the project the best of its know-how and technologies, the best solutions that will enhance the security of Bulgaria and will bring the country closer o the European structures," said Stefan Widomski, Senior Vice President of Nokia Networks.
The first TETRA official call in Bulgaria using the already functioning network was made by colonel Valery Grigorov, Director of the Border Police National Service. The first test call though was made at the end of February in the presence of the President of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Parvanov and the President of Finland Ms. Tarja Halonen, who was in Bulgaria on an official visit at the invitation of her Bulgarian colleague.
The TETRA system developed and implemented by Nokia for the Border Police National Service of Bulgaria is the first TETRA network in the Balkans. The tender for building the TETRA network was won by Nokia at the end of 2002.
The TETRA technology is a world standard approved by ETSI and adopted by the European Union for digital mobile trunking networks serving the needs of organizations in the public security and safety sector (police, emergency, civil defense, security services, etc.) and the state administration (parliament, president, government administrations). Data communication improves field operations by allowing users to access databases using just their radios.
Nokia continues investing in TETRA radio technology and systems for the benefit of present and future customers. Most European countries have already chosen the TETRA open standard as the basis for their public authority radio networks, as have a number of countries elsewhere in the world. The European Union, through its Phare program, is financing the first TETRA network in the Balkans built for the Border Police National Service to order to make the control of the future outer borders of the European Union more secure. The Phare program assists the applicant countries of central Europe in their preparations for joining the European Union.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38198
E-mail: networks.communications@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Notes to the editor:
TETRA is a technology that minimizes the capital investments and the operational expenses of the state organizations because it allows simultaneous using of one existing network by many services, administrations and ministries who in the same time can keep their independence. It enhances the safety of the classified information with the encrypting of the connection and increases the effectiveness and the coordination of the different services and ministries in crises situations and natural disasters through connecting the independent VPNs into one communication environment.
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