Norway starts nationwide drills for prolonged mobile and internet outages

Nationwide drills begin

Norway started nationwide exercises on Monday, 26 October, to prepare residents for a long period without mobile phone service and internet. The drills form part of the country's Crisis Preparedness Week and involve municipalities, emergency services, civil defence and social organisations. This year's campaign focuses on how the state and residents can keep functioning without access to mobile networks and the internet.

Minister of Justice and Crisis Preparedness Astri Aas-Hansen framed the exercise in a written statement. She said the country is among the most digitalised in the world.

“Norway is one of the most digitalised societies in the world, and a prolonged communications outage can seriously hamper everyday life.”

Warning of sabotage and war

The government warned that a break in communications could result from sabotage or acts of war. In her statement, Aas-Hansen said everyone should be ready for longer periods without mobile networks and internet. The exercise therefore asks ordinary households and local authorities to plan for those conditions before any outage occurs.

Information points and household reserves

The government urges municipalities to set up permanent information points that would keep working without internet or phones. It cites Ukraine's 'Points of Steadfastness' as an example, which during the war provide information, heating, device charging and other essential help. A study by the Norwegian Office for Social Security and Crisis Preparedness (DSB) found that only three in ten residents know where to turn for crisis information when phone and internet are down.

A week of self-reliance

Authorities recommend that every household be able to get by on its own for a week. The basis of the stock should be about 20 litres of drinking water per person, along with a way to heat the home without electricity. Residents are encouraged to agree in advance with family and neighbours on mutual help arrangements and meeting places in case communications fail. Authorities say that early self-preparation would let emergency services focus on the people most in need.