Telenor Xpress 1 - 2001

So close, no matter how far

For the 60 residents of Vandve, a small Norwegian island just south of the Arctic Circle, communication with the outside world has been restricted to fixed telephony, a post office and a ferry. But thanks to the efforts of Telenor, Vandve is about to gain access to the digital world.

"Broadband connections will allow people living in remote geographical areas access to quality audio and video content," says Bjørn Hestnes, senior scientist at Telenor Research and Development (R&D). "But the technology has more practical applications as well." In September 2000, Telenor R&D teamed up with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to conduct field trials of a new, remote inspection service. The team tested a mobile broadband communication tool with audio and video connections that can provide people working in remote locations with access to real-time technical support.

Hestnes explains that broadband technology will help the Roads Administration become more cost-efficient. "If a road crew working in a remote location has a problem with one of their trucks, they could wait up to a day for a mechanic to arrive. With two-way real-time audio-video connection, the mechanic can help and train the road crew from a remote location," Hestnes says.

Telenor R&D's mission is to offer broadband technology to everyone, regardless of location. "After the successful project at Vandve, Telenor R&D is a step closer to making Norway IP everywhere," Hestnes concludes.