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UN Deploys Mission-Critical Communications

Nov 16, 2018

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The United Nations has been upgrading its communications network. Currently, there are 14 peacekeeping operations around the world led by the United Nations. These missions typically have permission to use radio spectrum for planning, coordination, and implementation of their activities.

The UN has recently selected Ericsson to supply peacekeeping missions around the globe with their own LTE (Long-Term Evolution standard) networks providing mission-critical communications capabilities. The Private LTE system provides governments and industries with critical mobile broadband solutions, serving both users and IoT-enabled devices.

This LTE network will significantly improve existing communications by providing stable, secure, and future-proof mobile broadband services for peacekeeping troops, often operating in tough geographical terrain and conditions, according to businessinsider.com. Together with the latest mission-critical push-to-talk, data and video capabilities, specifically designed for professional use, communications will be enriched to embody the full multimedia experience.

By standardizing their communications, the UN ensures peacekeeping troops will have the latest communications systems as well as a cost-effective way to add new digital broadband services, such as HD video for real-time situational awareness, mobile positioning and cellular Internet of Things (IoT), including asset management and connected logistics solutions.

The LTE networking equipment is from the 5G-ready Ericsson Radio System portfolio, which is an end-to-end modular and scalable radio access network, including the MINI-LINK microwave backhaul solution, in combination with the Cloud Packet Core.

The first live UN Private LTE networks are expected to be up and running in 2019.

According to Ericsson, the digitalization through broadband that is driving development for business and society also has great potential in peacebuilding and humanitarian response.