politics
Billions Could Be Lost Due to Satellite Service Outages - Monitoring in the North Has Been Strengthened
A new report estimates billion-dollar losses from national satellite service outages in Norway. Meanwhile, GPS disruptions are already causing challenges in Eastern Finnmark, Northern Norway.
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Satellite-based services for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) are essential to a range of societal functions. They provide more efficient operations and lower costs, but also make us vulnerable if the signals are lost.
A new analysis by Menon Economics, commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, showcases how serious these consequences could be. The report assesses how a national outage of PNT services would impact critical sectors such as aviation, maritime transport, power supply and electronic communication.
According to the calculations, a seven-day outage could cost the Norwegian society NOK 3.4 billion. The defense sector is not included in the estimate.
Strengthened monitoring
While the report refers to the national consequences of an outage, GPS interference is already a part of everyday life in Easter Finnmark, Northern Norway. The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) closely monitors the situation and describes the phenomenon as well-known in the region.
"The extent and duration may vary, and there are often complex and external conditions that affect the situation," says David Brændedal, Senior Advisor, Communications and Public Relations, at Nkom.
The disruptions may impact services that depend on precise positioning and time synchronization, such as aviation and maritime transport, emergency and preparedness services, and other transport services.
Brændeland emphasizes that many critical functions have built-in reserves and alternative systems to reduce vulnerability. At the same time, he says that they have strengthened monitoring in the North.
"The monitorting nd the work to uncover and manage jamming are continuously adapted to a changing threat and situational landscape. The technical monitoring in the High North has been strengthened, including in Eastern Finnmark.
Mobile network
Bjørn Amundsen, Head of Coverage at Telenor, says that neither jamming nor spoofing affects their mobile network.
"We do not control the mobile network via GPS. Certain apps, like Google Maps, may show incorrect positions if you are in an area with jamming. But you can call, use your phone, read the newspaper, and pay bills without any problems. Certain apps may be affected, not the mobile network," he explains.
Amundsen says that Telenor has conducted extensive investigations in Finnmark to ensure that the network functions as it should.
"I have joined the police in a helicopter along the border with Russia, and the mobile network behaves completely normally. The map on the cellphone can sometimes show the wrong position, but as mentioned, it is the app, not the mobile network itself," he emphasises.
Suggests additional measures
"This report provides important knowledge about how vulnerable society is, and will be useful in the work to strengthen preparedness," says Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Labor) in a press release.
The report points to several measures that could reduce the risk of loss of PNT services, including:
Alternative navigation and timing systems that are not satellite-based
Better monitoring of jamming and spoofing in vulnerable areas
Strengthened robustness in critical sectors such as power and electronic communication
Pilot projects to test new solutions
"We will carefully review the report and communicate the results to other affected ministries and agencies. The report is an important foundational document in our work to secure Norway," says the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy.
