VIRVE
Encyclopedia
VIRVE is the Finnish
authorities' telecommunications network. It is based on the Terrestrial Trunked Radio
(TETRA) standard. It is one of few nation-wide TETRA networks in the world.
. The planning of the network began in the early 1990s, when analog
authority networks were deemed to be expensive to keep up and the demands for authority communications had grown. In 1995 the Finnish government decided to invest €134 million for a new shared authority network. Construction of the network began in 1998 and the network became nation-wide in 2002. Today there are over 60,000 users and about 1,300 base stations in the whole country.
and the construction was overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The system uses the frequency band of 380-400 megahertz, which is lower than GSM. Due to the lower frequency band fewer base stations are needed. Digital
VIRVE is encrypted
, unlike its analog counterparts, and it has unified all previous authority networks into one network. The network makes it possible to transfer pictures and the same digital services as the GSM network. Furthermore, the network has a group call service that enables fast and efficient communication in a group of users. The expected number of clients in the network is 50,000. In July 2009 the number was 31,000. The power of the base stations is set to 25 watt
s, in vehicular devices it is 10 watts and in portable devices 0.5—3 watts.
The network is separated into groups that can be modified in according to the needs of the operation at hand. The network is used by security officials: the police, rescue services, customs, border guard, social- and health department and the Finnish Defence Forces
. Authorities can also allow access to the network for other personnel separately for a limited amount of time, under contract or limited to certain events.
VIRVE is controlled and upheld by Suomen Erillisverkot Oy (State Security Networks Ltd.), which is owned by the State of Finland in whole.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
authorities' telecommunications network. It is based on the Terrestrial Trunked Radio
Terrestrial Trunked Radio
Terrestrial Trunked Radio is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification...
(TETRA) standard. It is one of few nation-wide TETRA networks in the world.
History
The VIRVE network was created for the authorities to have their own nation-wide and secure radio networkRadio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
. The planning of the network began in the early 1990s, when analog
Analog transmission
Analog transmission is a transmission method of conveying voice, data, image, signal or video information using a continuous signal which varies in amplitude, phase, or some other property in proportion to that of a variable...
authority networks were deemed to be expensive to keep up and the demands for authority communications had grown. In 1995 the Finnish government decided to invest €134 million for a new shared authority network. Construction of the network began in 1998 and the network became nation-wide in 2002. Today there are over 60,000 users and about 1,300 base stations in the whole country.
Technology
The technology for VIRVE has been developed by NokiaNokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
and the construction was overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The system uses the frequency band of 380-400 megahertz, which is lower than GSM. Due to the lower frequency band fewer base stations are needed. Digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
VIRVE is encrypted
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
, unlike its analog counterparts, and it has unified all previous authority networks into one network. The network makes it possible to transfer pictures and the same digital services as the GSM network. Furthermore, the network has a group call service that enables fast and efficient communication in a group of users. The expected number of clients in the network is 50,000. In July 2009 the number was 31,000. The power of the base stations is set to 25 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s, in vehicular devices it is 10 watts and in portable devices 0.5—3 watts.
The network is separated into groups that can be modified in according to the needs of the operation at hand. The network is used by security officials: the police, rescue services, customs, border guard, social- and health department and the Finnish Defence Forces
Finnish Defence Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces are responsible for the defence of Finland. It is a cadre army of 15,000, of which 8,900 are professional soldiers , extended with conscripts and reservists such that the standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform...
. Authorities can also allow access to the network for other personnel separately for a limited amount of time, under contract or limited to certain events.
VIRVE is controlled and upheld by Suomen Erillisverkot Oy (State Security Networks Ltd.), which is owned by the State of Finland in whole.