Bittium has received purchase orders from the Finnish Defence Forces related to existing Framework Agreements for products included in the Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system and Bittium Tough Comnode™ terminals, which are meant for tactical communications.
The value of the purchase order including Bittium TAC WIN system’s products is approximately EUR 5.8 million. It is the last purchase order under the Framework Agreement signed by Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces on August 9, 2017. In accordance with the Framework Agreement, Finnish Defence Forces has ordered products included in the software-defined Bittium TAC WIN system during the years 2018-2020. The Framework Agreement has materialized in full and the total value is EUR 30 million (excl. VAT). The products ordered now will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the year 2020. The purchase order is part of the renewal of the Finnish Defence Forces’ command, control and communications system, where the software-defined Bittium TAC WIN system acts as the backbone network for tactical data transfer. Bittium TAC WIN provides broadband IP network connections for mobile communication stations and command posts. In the reformed combat doctrine of the Finnish Defence Forces, mobility, leading the troops on the move and effective communications play a key role. Bittium issued a stock exchange release on the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 9, 2017.
The value of the purchase order including Bittium Tough Comnode terminals is approximately EUR 1.7 million. The order is based on the Framework Agreement signed by Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces on November 5, 2018. According to the Framework Agreement, Finnish Defence Forces will order Bittium Tough Comnode terminals and related accessories during the years 2018-2022. If materialized in full, the total value of the Framework Agreement is EUR 8.3 million (excl. VAT). The Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders in several batches during the validity of the Framework Agreement. The products ordered now will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the year 2020. Bittium Tough Comnode will fulfill the data transfer needs of the Finnish Defence Forces’ mobile troops by functioning for example as a VoIP phone (Voice over IP), an IP router (Internet Protocol), and an SHDSL repeater (Symmetrical High-speed Digital Subscriber Line). The terminals will be used by all three military branches. Bittium issued a stock exchange release on the signing of the Framework Agreement on November 5, 2018.
The purchase orders do not affect Bittium's financial outlook for the year 2020 published in the Financial Statement Bulletin 2019 on February 13, 2020.
Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™
Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN) is a software-defined wireless broadband network system intended for military and public safety use. With the system MANET (mobile ad hoc network), link, and connection networks can be formed into one logical IP network quickly, no matter what the location is. Bittium TAC WIN is compatible with existing fixed and wireless network infrastructures. The core of the system is a tactical router that enables users to freely form both wired and wireless broadband data transfer IP connections. Tactical router enables also connections to different types of terminals and other communication systems connecting them into a one communication network. In addition to the router the system comprises three types of radio heads, and each radio head covers its own frequency band area and can be used for flexible formation of optimized network topologies for different communication needs. All the products of the system are designed for harsh conditions, and thanks to the system's automated functions the implementation of the system can be done quickly. Due to the software-based functionality of the Bittium TAC WIN system, it can be easily updated with additional performance cost-efficiently during the whole lifespan of the system.
Bittium Tough Comnode™
The versatile Bittium Tough Comnode fulfils the data transfer needs of the mobile troops by functioning for example as a VoIP phone, an IP router, and an SHDSL repeater. Bittium Tough Comnode is rugged and easy to install in different environments, and is also portable by soldiers on the battlefield. The terminal is compatible with the software defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system, which is meant for broadband tactical communications. The terminal offers diverse connectivity options also to third-party equipment and systems. Bittium Tough Comnode also enables using legacy Combat Net Radios (CNR) as part of the IP-based tactical communication system (Radio over IP, RoIP).