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O2 AIRWAVE SIGNS ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONTRACT
UK emergency service communications provider to supply consultancy service to Siemens in Norway
Released: 28 March 2007
O2 Airwave today announced that it has won its first overseas contract. Drawing on its expertise as the provider of the UK's emergency service and public safety communications network, O2 Airwave will be supplying a consultancy service to Siemens for the Norwegian public safety radio network. Siemens has entered into a turn-key contract with the Norwegian authorities for the network and will also provide the control rooms in conjunction with Frequentis as well as operation and maintenance of the network. The first users of the network will be the Norwegian public emergency services of fire, police and health.
As the provider of the largest emergency service and public safety network of its kind in the world, O2 Airwave has a wealth of experience in the rollout and provision of such a large-scale resilient and secure communications infrastructure. This experience will contribute to the successful rollout of the Norwegian safety network. Siemens is due to complete the rollout of the first part of the network in the Oslo region in September this year. Eventually, the network will be nationwide, providing a single, secure TETRA-based communications infrastructure that will enhance the exchange of information and co-ordination between the Norwegian fire, police, health and other emergency services.
O2 Airwave will provide consultancy advice on the design and implementation of the network operations. This advice will draw directly upon O2 Airwave's own experience of operating the UK's national TETRA communications network which provides secure mobile communications to over 180,000 users.
O2 Airwave has stated its intention to expand internationally and is currently pursuing opportunities in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The scope of O2 Airwave's international offering ranges from professional services consultancy, such as for Norway, through to the complete design and build of a secure emergency service and public safety communications network.
Richard Bobbett, CEO of O2 Airwave, said: "Having secured long-term service contracts with all of the blue light services and many other public safety related customers in Great Britain, O2 Airwave is keen to expand internationally. The opportunity to provide our consultancy services in Norway is therefore an excellent way for us to showcase the experience and knowledge O2 Airwave has developed from building and operating the world's largest communications network of its type. The Norway project is challenging due to the tight deadlines involved and we look forward to working with Siemens to help ensure timely and effective delivery."
