ST. GILLES, France, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Bulgaria's public safety forces now have a secure, digital communications network operating over more than 80 percent of the country.
Cassidian Systems and Ericsson Telecommunications Bulgaria said completion of a government project for extension of a terrestrial trunked radio network has added 50 fixed and three mobile TETRA base stations.
The additions have doubled the number of TETRA base stations to 111, a direct benefit to public safety forces, particularly national border police forces and fire brigades.
"Cassidian is proud to have experienced such excellent cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior and with its consortium partner, Ericsson, on a project of such great significance," Hans Holmberg, Sales vice president of Security & Communication Solutions at Cassidian Systems said.
"The extended national TETRA network provided by us will make it easier for the Bulgarian public safety forces to carry out their daily missions.
"In addition, all of us at Cassidian firmly believe that this project is a strong asset for Bulgaria, as it significantly improves secure communication capabilities at the Bulgarian borders," he said.
Bulgaria began establishing the network in 2002. The extension project included the setting up of a backbone transmission network of 120 microwave systems, including a state-of-the-art platform for wireless transmission and site-related activities.
