Strengthens the Monitoring of GPS Interference in the High North
As part of the Norwegian government's efforts to strengthen security and preparedness in the North, the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) will be opening an office in Tromsø, Northern Norway. The news was launched by Norway's Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung and Nkom Director John-Eivind Velure in Tromsø on Monday. (Photo: Astri Edvardsen)
The Norwegian government is establishing a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "It is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance.
There have long been registered GPS interference in the airspace above Eastern Finnmark, which borders Russia. At the start of August, similar reports also emerged on the jamming of navigational equipment in the Barents Sea.
Such disruptions can create major challenges for navigation and safety in aviation and maritime traffic.
The Norwegian government has now decided to establish a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) in Tromsø, Northern Norway, to strengthen its work with measurements and analyses of GPS interference in the North.
"The world has become more dangerous and more unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities. A new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø will be an important contribution," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Karianne Tung (Labor).
Tromsø as a hub
Tromsø has direct flights to both Finnmark and Svalbard, and is also the location of professional environments relevant for Nkom to cooperate closely with.
"An establishment here will provide shorter travel routes and a faster response time to strategically important areas in Svalbard and Eastern Finnmark. At the same time, Tromsø provides unique opportunities for co-location and cooperation with strong professional environments," says Tung.
Among the central institutions in Tromsø are Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), Avinor, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Polar Institute, the police, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Collaboration with these actors can contribute to more efficient task solving.
"Important to be present"
The new Nkom office is scheduled to be operational by 2026, and will have at least two employees to begin with.
"We are happy to establish an office in a large and important region. The security policy situation has changed in the past years, and the strategic importance of Northern Norway is significant," says Nkom Director John-Eivind Velure.
Recent reports of GPS interference in the Barents Sea underline the need for increased presence in the North, he maintains.
"It is important for Nkom to be present in the region. A robust digital infrastructure must withstand increasing strain, and our presence allows us to react faster if unwanted incidents occur," says Velure.
Has sent a letter to Russia
Nkom's monitoring of the airspace above Eastern Finnmark has shown that the GPS interference is coming from Russia, which is also confirmed by other Norwegian authorities.
"Russia has also confirmed that it is conducting protection of its own infrastructure that spills over to Norway. We have contacted the Russian authorities and referred to international regulations that regulate what is allowed and not allowed across borders regarding the use of frequency," states Velure.
Minister Tung says to High North News that Norway recently sent a letter to Russia about the GPS interference, but does not want to elaborate any further.
"Although it is difficult for us to stop the GPS interference, it is important that we continue monitoring to stay informed on the situation and how it is developing. We will also to continue addressing issues with neighboring countries when they cause GPS interference in Norway," maintains the Nkom Director.
To reduce the risk of serious incidents due to GPS interference, Nkom is working i.a. to inform and advise relevant parties. Nkom is also among the organizers of the large annual jamming test at Andøya, Northern Norway, which contributes to the development of navigational systems that are more resilient to jamming and spoofing.
GPS interference in the High North
· GPS interference: Jamming is the interference or blocking of, among other things, radio and GPS signals, while spoofing is the transmission of false signals to deceive the receiver who receives these signals.
· There have been frequent GPS interference in the airspace above Eastern Finnmark in the past years, particularly related to jamming, but also spoofing. This has led to aircraft having to use alternative navigation methods to land. Nkom has not received reports of GPS disruptions at ground level in this area.
· This summer, the Civil Aviation Authority Norway and Avinor reported GPS interference in Svalbard on July 8th. Nkom has not been able to confirm whether there have been frequency disturbances, and if so, what could be the cause.
· At the beginning of August, Nkom received several reports from the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Coast Guard and Telenor Coastal Radio that navigation equipment was affected by jamming in the Barents Sea. Last week, Nkom conducted its own monitoring between Kirkenes and Båtsfjord, but detected no new signs of GPS interference.
