South Korean mobile network operator SK Telecom (SKT) and Finland’s Nokia have announced the successful development of what they called ‘a mission-critical LTE System for first responders’, a portable all-in-one Public Safety-LTE (PS-LTE) network system. SKT noted that the PS-LTE network refers to an advanced public safety network based on the LTE network, adding that, while compact enough to fit into a backpack, the system is equipped with all elements required for mobile telecommunications, including a base station (eNB), switching system (core network: Evolved Packet Core, Home Subscriber Server, Policy and Charging Rules Function, etc.) and push-to-talk (PTT) technologies. As such, it claimed that the system is able to ‘instantly create an independent communications network to be used by public safety workers/emergency services.’ SKT and Nokia were reportedly able to realise the portable all-in-one PS-LTE network by applying Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) technologies to the core network elements and PTT solutions to fit them into a small rectangular shaped server. Meanwhile, it was noted that the network deployed with the system provides coverage of five kilometres, can handle up to 400 users, and has a set-up time of less than three minutes.
Commenting on the technology achievement, Lee Jong-bong, Executive Vice President and Head of Infra Division at SKT, was cited as saying: ‘The portable all-in-one PS-LTE system is a ground-breaking solution that enables communication among first responders by setting up an independent LTE network when regular communication networks are disrupted by disasters … SK Telecom will not only utilise the innovative system to build disaster safety wireless networks in Korea, but also plans to share its expertise and know-how with many other countries around the world.’