Ericsson sensor solution secures Norwegian border

Sensors supplied by Ericsson let the border guard detect illegal activities far beyond the range of the human eye. The Ericsson solution allowed Norway to tighten its border with Russia at a critical time.

Norway's implementation of the Schengen agreement in 2001 brought with it a mandate to secure the country's remote 196 km border with Russia. High-tech sensors proved the answer.

The Schengen region comprises 15 Western European nations that allow travelers to cross internal borders without showing their passports.




When Norway joined the scheme, it was required to beef up surveillance of its border with Russia, Schengen's northern-most external boundary. The border region, two-thirds of which is covered by rivers and creeks, is among Europe's most desolate.




This has made it an increasingly popular crossing for smugglers and illegal immigrants from the former Eastern Bloc, many of whom head west in search of economic opportunities. Concerns over the border were also heightened when Russia recently said it would decrease patrols on its side of the border.




But how can a small nation such as Norway guard a vast and sparsely populated border area? The answer came in the form of a sophisticated sensor system that helps the military detect and deter the unwelcome, and to quickly react against illegal actions.




The Norway Border Guard took bids from a dozen companies, ultimately settling for a solution from Ericsson's Border and Area Security Group. After conducting an initial border analysis, Ericsson selected and delivered the sensors to help the border guard reach maximum surveillance capability within budget.

Ericsson has also been awarded the maintenance contract for the border equipment.

A number of countries are currently looking at Ericsson's border security products and services, including South Africa, Algeria, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and all Schengen countries.

Lieutenant-Colonel Terje Alvsaker, Battalion Commander for the Norwegian Border Guard, says: "Ericsson's open architecture made it possible to scale the project to the right size. Its solution on the radar side was the cheapest and most cost-effective."

Ericsson's long relationship with the Norwegian Armed Forces also helped, he says.

"There's a mutual trust," Alvsaker says. "We can be direct, and also tell them if something doesn't work. We speak the same language."

The sensors supplied by Ericsson, can be mounted on a truck or snowmobile, or placed in the field, depending on need. This flexibility has made the border security force much more efficient.

In a region with a harsh climate, the sensors are particularly helpful during bad weather. They help a skilled operator detect, classify, and track a moving person or vehicle from a long distance, despite heavy fog, rain or snow.

After an object is detected in the border region, a trained operator can classify the object - animal, person, or vehicle - and then pursue appropriate action.

By deploying the sensors in different locations, the Border Guard also keeps illegal immigrants and smugglers off balance. As Company Commander Captain Stian Sorensen explains: "We use them as a deterrent, because when people see the radar they think we have 100 percent protection."