Second stage of Rakel goes live today

Second stage of Rakel goes live today

At  10 o' clock today the Rakel consortium, consisting of Eltel Networks, Saab
and EADS Secure Networks, commissioned the second stage of the Rakel system,
which covers Gävleborg, Kronoberg, Stockholm, Södermanland, Uppsala and
Västmanlands counties.

”Stage two has been ready and quality assured for some time. But we chose not to
commission it until now, when the user organisations have begun to connect to
it” explains Nils Svartz, Head of the Rakel unit within the Swedish Emergency
Management Agency.

The Police force who are already connected to the first stage now make the move
to stage two as well. The Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI) and SOS
Alarm in Stockholm and Uppsala are two other players that are changing over to
Rakel.

5000 users of the System 
At present there are approximately 5000 registered users of the system. On
completion in 2010 it is hoped that all 50 000 users will be operational. 

The consortium consisting of Saab Communication, Eltel Networks and EADS Secure
Networks is responsible for the expansion and reports that the continued
expansion is progressing according to schedule. Stage three which covers the
counties of Halland and Västra Götaland will be complete before the end of 2007.

Facts about Rakel and the consortium:
Rakel is a new common digital radio communications system for Sweden's civil
protection and rescue services. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (KBM) is
responsible for coordinating the expansion of the system. In order to realise
Rakel KBM has appointed a consortium consisting of Saab, Eltel Networks and EADS
Secure Networks. 

The system is based on an international standard, TETRA, that has been specially
developed for civil protection and rescue services. Several countries in Europe
have already installed TETRA, including Finland, Germany and Belgium. 


The Swedish Rakel expansion is planned in seven stages to cover the whole
country, starting form the south and working north. The first stage covered the
counties of Skåne, Blekinge and Kalmar and was commissioned during April 2006.
The whole system is expected to be completed in 2010. With Rakel Sweden will
have a single digital system instead of the 200 analogue systems at present.
Rakel gives faster connection times, protection against eavesdropping and better
coverage. The aim is that civil protection and rescue resources can be
coordinated more easily, faster and better.


Eltel Networks, the leading Infranet Company in Europe, is specialized in
planning, building and maintaining the telecom and electricity infrastructure -
the lifelines of society. With innovative and efficient solutions and close to
8000 employees, Eltel has a key role in making Europe stronger, safer and more
secure. For more information go to www.eltelnetworks.se 

EADS Secure Networks is one of the world's leading manufacturers of radio
communications, infrastructure, mobile terminals and services for professional
users. EADS Secure Networks belongs to the Business Unit Defence and
Communications Systems (DCS). DCS, the EADS "Systems House", is an integrated
Business Unit of EADS Defence & Security (DS). DS is a systems solutions
provider combining military air systems, missile systems, communications and
intelligence systems, global security solutions, sensor and avionics systems, as
well as test and support solutions into a single effective network. In 2006, DS
- with its around 23,000 employees - achieved revenues of € 5.9 billion. Read
more about EADS Secure Networks at www.eads.com/pmr 

Saab Communication, part of the Saab Group, offers qualified communication
services and robust tele-, data- and radio communications solutions for the
defence, civil security, telecoms and traffic infrastructure areas - nationally
and internationally.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and
solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations
and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new
technology to meet customers' changing needs.

For further information, please contact:
Anders Åkesson, manager for the consortium, +46 (0)734-46 74 57
www.saabgroup.com