For several years, residents of Lofoten lived with the threat of losing mobile coverage. If this happens simultaneously with a power failure can have fatal consequences in an emergency situation. Councilman in Moskenes Municipality, Per A. Sperstad, believes it has been critical to put in place a more robust cable to Lofoten.
– This winter storm in January last year we stood powerless in preparedness efforts. The two most essential pieces of our emergency system is electricity and telecommunications. When we lose these two we are set very far back. In Lofoten we have also a third factor of bad weather, says Sperstad.
Crew jobs rightly injuries after 8,000 people lost electricity coverage in Nordland in February 2015.
Photo: Tommy Johansen
He believes it is the elderly who are most vulnerable in these situations. When telecom coverage has disappeared, the municipality had to evacuate the elderly who live alone to older homes. Along with the other municipalities in Lofoten Moskenes wanted a new line for several years.
Less vulnerable
The work to lay out the new cable ready, and Telenor believes that emergency preparedness Lofoten is strengthened. Head of Communications at Telenor, Kristine Meek, points out however that there are several factors that are essential for the coverage.
– Lofoten will not be as vulnerable as before, says Communications Manager in Telenor Norway, Kristine Meek.
Photo: Telenor
– Lofoten will not be as vulnerable as before, and this could prevent outcomes that have previously led to loss of telecommunications coverage. The coverage is still dependent on several other factors, such as base stations and land cables, so violations may still occur, she says.
Mayor of Vestvågøy, Remi Solberg, is nonetheless very pleased that the cable now in place. He believes it is essential for social security.
– Our community depends on good telecommunications opportunities. Once the network has been down your community becomes more or less paralyzed. In emergency situations we’ve had previously been challenging, especially for emergency services, he said.
Engineering Art
It took extensive planning to to post the 100 kilometers long and 200 tons heavy cable. At the deepest lies on 400 meters depth in the Vestfjord of Nordland.
The past two kilometers into the country intake on Rost was 195 blower attached to the submarine cable, and using small boats cable was pulled and floated to shore.
Photo: Telenor
– An extensive preparation with analysis of seven gigabytes of seabed data and obtaining permits from NCA and fisheries authorities contributed to the laying of the cable was successful, says Telenor said in a statement.
the new cable will later this summer spliced together with Lofotkraft cable leading into the Lofoten peninsula. The cable contains both power and fiber.
Cable Ship M / S Nordkabel was commissioned to publish the 200-ton cable across the fjord from Bodo to Lofoten.
Photo: Mads Hofsøy / Telenor
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