DSB is the fourth such organisation to join in recent months, following Belgium’s ASTRID, Erillisverkot from Finland and Sweden's Myndigheten för Samhällsskydd och Beredskap (MSB).
According to a spokesperson, these organisations have been participating in the Mission Critical Services Work Stream, which was set up by GCF and TCCA to “align and speed up the market availability of certified 3GPP standards-based mission critical broadband services and devices.”
The spokesperson continued: “The GCF certification programme assures device-network and client-server compliance to 3GPP standards for mission critical devices and services, as well as contributing to reducing testing cost and accelerating time-to-market.”
Head of DSB's Department for Emergency Communications, Eline Paxal, said: “We are excited about joining GCF and are looking forward to participating as mission critical communications operator.
"We have initiated the work to establish a broadband public safety radio network to meet the needs of emergency and preparedness users after the phase-out of the current TETRA Nødnett.
“We will request that mission critical broadband products and services are certified as standardised and interoperable. Our conclusion is that being a GCF member is important to support the ongoing work to establish necessary processes for testing and certification of mission critical products and services.”
GCF CEO Lars Nielsen said: “GCF Certification for Broadband Mission Critical Services [has gained] a lot of momentum in Europe, and we are pleased to welcome DSB joining GCF as a new MCCO.
“We are looking forward to more mission critical operators and service providers joining the initiative, as well as increased engagement from vendors of mission critical services and devices.”
Nina Myren, director and board member of TCCA representing DSB, said: "TCCA and GCF have worked closely over [recent years] to establish the necessary processes for testing and certification of mission critical services. We encourage our members that are public safety communications operators to request certified products, and also to become GCF MCCO members.
“I am very happy to see that my organisation - and our long-time member DSB - has taken this step."
DSB reports to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in Norway.
Read an exclusive interview with GCF and TCCA here.
