EADS to build the Estonian nationwide TETRA radio network

EADS to build the Estonian nationwide TETRA radio network for public safety

• Network will enhance efficiency of emergency services
• The Estonian government enabled to fulfil the EU Schengen Agreement

Tallinn, 28 September 2006 – The Estonian Government and EADS signed a contract in September 2006 to build the Estonian Public Safety Digital Mobile Trunked Radio Network (EDTN). Users of the network will include the police, border guards, rescue services, and other organisations responsible for public safety. The EDTN network is planned to be ready for service during the first half of year 2007.

Bringing together all the Estonian public safety agencies on one shared EADS TETRA radio network can make the work of the emergency services more efficient. Communications between different organisations will become significantly easier, for example. And as the network will provide nationwide coverage, all agencies can receive the same information and messages securely and simultaneously.

“Of Estonia’s neighbouring countries, Finland and Sweden are already using TETRA radio communications networks provided by EADS,” says Jean-Marc Nasr, President of EADS Secure Networks. “When the nationwide EDTN network covers Estonia, these three countries can significantly enhance the cross-border security in the Baltic Sea area. Furthermore, they will be able to fulfil the rules for cross-border cooperation, set by the EU Schengen Agreement. We are proud to deliver our technology and our experience to make this milestone come true”.

The EDTN network will be provided by EADS Secure Networks, a world leading provider of Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) that enables professional organisations to communicate together effectively, reliably, and securely. EADS is the only company in the world that can offer specialised PMR solutions based on TETRAPOL, TETRA, and P25 technologies. EADS has already delivered 150 mission-critical PMR networks. Among these are 30 nationwide networks, 12 of which are in Europe: Besides Hungary and Germany, Estonia is the fifteenth network contract and the third contract for a nationwide network which has been awarded to EADS this year.

EADS Secure Networks is part of the Business Unit Defence and Communications Systems, the “Systems House” of EADS, an integrated unit of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS).
With revenues of about 5.6 billion in 2005 and roughly 23,000 employees across nine nations, EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS) forms the defence and security pillar within EADS. As a Large Systems Integrator, it offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and global security. It is active in the areas of manned and unmanned integrated combat and mission air systems, including related training services, and in missile systems, battlefield management systems for all branches, global security solutions, secure networks, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, as well as related services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000.