Published: November 14, 2024, at 5:28 PM Last updated: November 14, 2024, at 6:17 PM
– The preliminary reports indicate that the incident has not resulted in loss of life. The government takes this situation very seriously, said Minister of Digitalization Karianne Tung (Ap) when she addressed the Parliament on Thursday afternoon.
She reiterated her previous statements that the situation that occurred this week is unacceptable. The minister has called in the director of Telenor Norway for a meeting regarding the incident as soon as the causes are clarified and the sequence of events is mapped out.
– The failure was completely unexpected and occurred during scheduled maintenance, likely due to work on the power supply, said Tung.
Unclear Cause
Telenor’s backup system for power supply also did not function as it should have when the main power went out. The company has not yet clarified all the factors behind the incident, nor those related to the backup system, according to VG.
A large part of Telenor’s mobile network experienced problems on Wednesday morning, which made it difficult for many to call emergency numbers. The issues also led to several train delays.
The problems persisted for over five hours before the situation returned to normal.
The Minister of Digitalization emphasized several times that she considers it Telenor’s responsibility to ensure that there are no errors in the digital infrastructure during maintenance work.
Multiple Providers?
Several members of parliament who commented on the briefing pointed out that a possible solution could be to have multiple providers of emergency numbers, as many other European countries have or are set to get.
Currently, Telenor handles all emergency number calls in Norway. But in most other European countries, there is more than one provider of emergency number services. In France, for example, all telecommunications operators have a direct line into the emergency services.
This would create a different risk profile if Norway chooses to move from one to two emergency number providers, according to Nkom, something the minister also pointed out in her summary.
– We must have backup solutions that work in case the emergency network is knocked out, said justice policy spokesperson Tobias Drevland Lund for the Red Party.
Fourth Time
This is the fourth time since summer that Telenor has faced problems affecting emergency numbers. In all cases, the problem caused the failure of one or more emergency numbers. The problems only affected Telenor’s network and not the networks of Telia and Lyse Ice.
The incidents seem to have different root causes but the same consequences, according to the minister.
The Norwegian Communications Authority is conducting an extended oversight of Telenor. Only when Nkom’s report is ready will the minister assess what measures should be taken to try to prevent these issues from occurring again. This also applies to the proposal for multiple providers of emergency numbers.
– It is completely unacceptable that ordinary maintenance leads to serious errors that put lives and health at risk, said Tung.
Sylvi Listhaug: Frightening
– It is thought-provoking that we experience breakdown after breakdown on important emergency numbers when we are maintaining the telecommunications network. It is quite frightening, said Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug during the comment round.
She believes the four incidents with serious underlying failures in critical societal networks must be termed as ”serious preparedness failure.”
– Preparedness and critical societal functions are a government responsibility. Therefore, it is not enough for the responsible minister and control body to simply call these breaches unsustainable and say that oversight is being conducted, said the Frp leader.
She calls for quick and effective backup solutions when “the current delivery is clearly not secure enough,” and pointed out that it may become relevant to use multiple providers.
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What measures can telecommunications companies take to ensure emergency services remain operational during maintenance?
Time.news Editor: Good evening, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss a serious incident involving Telenor’s mobile network that raised alarms among citizens and officials alike. With us today is digital infrastructure expert Dr. Emma Halvorsen. Dr. Halvorsen, can you start by sharing your thoughts on the recent failure of Telenor’s mobile network?
Dr. Emma Halvorsen: Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a concerning situation. This incident, which made it difficult for people to access emergency services when they needed them most, highlights critical vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure. It’s alarming to see such widespread issues during what was supposed to be routine maintenance.
Editor: Minister of Digitalization Karianne Tung stated that this was “completely unacceptable.” In your opinion, is this merely an operational failure, or does it point to deeper systemic issues within Telenor or the telecommunications industry at large?
Dr. Halvorsen: While the event itself appears to be an operational failure—reportedly caused by issues with the power supply and Telenor’s backup system—the recurring nature of these problems suggests deeper systemic flaws. This is the fourth significant incident affecting emergency numbers since summer, which cannot just be attributed to isolated failures. It raises questions about the resilience of their systems and whether rigorous protocols are in place to handle such situations.
Editor: You mentioned this is the fourth occurrence in a relatively short span. How do you view the Norwegian government’s response, particularly regarding the suggestion to possibly introduce multiple providers for emergency numbers?
Dr. Halvorsen: Introducing multiple providers could certainly diversify the risk and increase redundancy, which is crucial for emergency services. However, there’s a balance to strike—more providers could mean more complexity in coordination. That said, many European countries have adopted this approach successfully, and it might be time for Norway to consider a similar strategy to ensure public safety.
Editor: Some parliament members are suggesting that Telenor should be held accountable for ensuring a robust digital infrastructure. What kind of responsibilities should telecommunications companies like Telenor prioritize?
Dr. Halvorsen: Accountability is crucial. Telecommunications companies must prioritize not only the reliability of their services but also transparent communication with the authorities regarding their infrastructure capabilities. Regular maintenance should not compromise emergency services, and proactive measures, including stress testing of backup systems, should be standard practice to minimize risks.
Editor: Minister Tung has emphasized that the government is awaiting a comprehensive report from the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) before deciding on further actions. How important is oversight in situations like this, and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future?
Dr. Halvorsen: Oversight is vital, particularly in sectors that directly impact public safety. The review by Nkom is an essential step, but it should also be coupled with regular audits and risk assessments. Implementing a framework for continuous improvement based on these evaluations can greatly enhance the reliability of emergency services. Additionally, enhancing communication and coordination between telecommunications providers and the government can streamline emergency responses.
Editor: with the growing reliance on digital communication, what broader implications do you see arising from these types of outages for society as a whole?
Dr. Halvorsen: Outages like these can erode public trust in digital services. In a society that increasingly relies on mobile communication for everything from emergencies to everyday interactions, any lapse can have significant ramifications. It’s essential for both the private and public sectors to work hand in hand to bolster infrastructure and create contingency plans. After all, effective communication is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity for the safety and well-being of our communities.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Halvorsen, for your insights on this serious topic. We hope to see meaningful changes that can enhance our digital infrastructure and ensure the safety of all citizens. Thank you for joining us today!
Dr. Halvorsen: Thank you for having me.