The Rakel consortium, consisting of Eltel Networks, Saab and EADS Secure Networks, commissioned the second stage of the Rakel system, which is a new common digital radio communications system for Sweden’s civil protection and rescue services. The system is based on the TETRA international standard and the consortium was appointed by the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, which is responsible for coordinating the expansion.
The second stage, of seven, covers Gävleborg, Kronoberg, Stockholm, Södermanland, Uppsala and Västmanlands counties. The Police force, which is already connected to the first stage, is now making the move to stage two. The Swedish Radiation Protection Authority and SOS Alarm in Stockholm and Uppsala are also changing over to Rakel. Stage three, which covers the counties of Halland and Västra Götaland will be completed before the end of 2007 and the current figure of approximately 5,000 registered users of the system is expected to rise to 50,000 when the system is completed in 2010.
Commenting on stage two Nils Svartz, head of the Rakel unit within the Swedish Emergency Management Agency explained, "Stage two has been ready and quality assured for some time. But we chose not to commission it until now, when the user organizations have begun to connect to it".