Annual Report 2019
Bittium in 2019
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Defense & Security

Tactical and Secure Communication Systems

In the Defense & Security product and service area Bittium offers globally leading products and services for its customers in the defense, security and public safety markets. Bittium´s competitiveness in these markets is based on trust and reliability, high quality products and services, as well as on advanced technology and security know-how developed within the company during more than 30 years.

Bittium Tough Mobile™ product family
At the core of the information security features of the Bittium Tough Mobile smartphones lies their multilayered security structure, which is based on hardened Android™ operating system, unique hardware solutions, and the information security features and software integrated in the source code. The phones are fully designed and manufactured in Finland and Bittium ensures supervised and secure manufacturing and supply of the smartphones to customers. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphones together with Bittium Secure Suite device management and encryption software product can be certified for secure use of different national government authorities. Bittium Tough Mobile C smartphone together with Bittium Secure Suite back-end system form the first smartphone based communication solution in the world that has been certified for CONFIDENTIAL security level (NCSA-FI). As the smartphones have been designed for use by authorities, they have a significantly longer availability and lifespan and better availability of security updates compared to conventional smartphones.

Bittium Secure Suite™ is a device management and encryption software product that complements Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone with a scalable set of new software services for remote management, remote attestation and securing the network connections of the device. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone and Bittium Secure Suite form a unique, complete, reliable system for processing and transferring sensitive and classified material and securing critical communication.

Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX™ extension is a solution meant for authority use, where Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone is coupled with a functional accessory that is integrated to a PMR device (TETRA/P25). The solution also includes a holder with a wide angle lens, which enables authorities to share real-time situational awareness over the LTE network. Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension can be used to operate both the secure Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone and PMR device, and communicate with both LTE and PMR network users.

Bittium Specialized Device Platform™ is a versatile device platform leveraging latest mass market mobile device hardware and software technologies. The platform enables companies to roll-out fully customized mobile devices in various form factors (incl. module, smartphone, tablet and smart watch) faster and with lower development risks. The platform has been productized to public safety, security, industrial and smart watch markets. One of the major products based on this platform is the secure Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone.

Bittium SafeMove® Mobile VPN software enables the utilization of all IP based applications and networks by securing the connections between the work station and corporate services immediately from startup of the phone. With Bittium SafeMove, for instance home care workers are allowed to have full access to the same systems and applications they would have on a hospital desktop, enabling safe and real-time access to patient records.

Bittium SafeMove® Analytics is an advanced monitoring and reporting module that helps organizations to monitor network connectivity and performance to improve productivity and user experience. The analytics tool continuously gathers connectivity data such as connectivity status, speed, throughput and bytes transferred, network type and Wi-Fi network information. It is also easy to enhance the tool with positioning information if GPS data is available. In addition, the new security features enable immediate report of possible security deviations in the mobile phones used by the employees. This enables reacting to the cyber threats without any delay, for example by disconnecting device that reported the deviation, from the company network for the time of clearance of the situation.

Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) is a Software-Defined Radio based 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 where 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 one communication network. In addition to the router, the system comprises of 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 VoIP™ product family´s products enable tactical IP calls and broadband data transfer even in demanding conditions. Products are easily integrated into existing IP infrastructure. The product family consists of a range of tactical IP-based communication products, including distributed VoIP service network for tactical environment, Bittium Tough VoIP Service; Voice over IP clients, Bittium Tough VoIP Field Phone and Bittium Tough VoIP Terminal; a network extension unit, Bittium Tough VoIP Network Extender; and Bittium Tough VoIP Service and Bittium Tough VoIP Softphone software products.

Bittium Tough VoIP Field Phone™ is a SIP (Session Initation Protocol) compliant client that provides interoperability with other SIP clients and server implementations available in the market, and incorporates functionality that enables introduction of VoIP services in dynamic self-forming networks independent from server.

Bittium Tough VoIP Terminal™ is a wireline VoIP phone that can be operated either as an part of Bittium Tough VoIP solution or as an IP terminal together with a third-party equipment.

With the Bittium Tough VoIP Network Extender™´s SHDSL (Symmetric-High-Speed Digital Subscriber Line) connectivity, an IP network can be extended over long distances using conventional field wire. The Network Extender also features Ethernet and SHDSL connections to external networks and devices.

Bittium Tough VoIP Service™ is a software product, which can be used to connect both fixed data network users and wireless tactical data network users to the same voice service network.

Bittium Tough VoIP Softphone™ is a VoIP software product designed especially for tactical use. It can be used for VoIP calls, instant messaging, conference calls and screen sharing in the Bittium Tough VoIP Service network either with a PC or smartphone.

Bittium Tactical LTE Access Point™ is a solution providing LTE access to the Bittium TAC WIN network. With the solution, different troops can benefit from cost-efficient and high-speed multimedia data and VoIP services by using commercial smartphones as well as special terminals intended for authority use.

Bittium Tough Comnode™ fulfills the data transfer needs for 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). Additionally, Bittium Tough Comnode also provides SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server functionalities of the tactical voice network for commercial VoIP terminals and enables using also legacy Combat Net Radios (CNR) as part of the IP-based tactical communication system (Radio over IP, RoIP).

The Bittium Tough SDR™ product family of tactical radios consists of Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™, handheld radio for individual soldiers, and Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™, tactical radio for vehicle installations. Bittium Tough SDR products help to produce and share real time situational awareness (location, image, voice, video, and sensor data) to all levels of the organization. Together with the SDR based Bittium TAC WIN system, it is possible to bring broadband data and voice to all mobile troops starting from brigade level and all the way across the battlefield.

Year 2019

During the first half of the year, Bittium launched a new ultra secure Bittium Tough Mobile 2 smartphone. The core of the information security of the new Bittium Tough Mobile 2 is its multilayered security structure, which is based on the hardened Android™ 9 Pie operating system, unique hardware solutions, and the information security features and software integrated in the source code. The multilayered information security ensures that both the data stored in the device and data transfer are protected as effectively as possible.

The customer deliveries of the Bittium Tough Mobile 2 smartphone started during the second half of the year. Modern smartphone design combined with the world´s highest security has attracted market interest. Continuous cyber security attacks raise awareness of the importance of mobile security. Also the deliveries of the first generation Bittium Tough Mobile smartphones continued to the customers.

Bittium announced a new Multicontainer feature for the Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone. It enables the use of several secure container workspaces. The users of secure workspaces can safely download approved applications from their own organizations´ application libraries. It enables the users to easily handle confidential information of several organizations as well as their personal data and applications with the same Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone.

Also a new version of Bittium SafeMove® software with important new features to support cyber resilient field operations under disruptions was launched.

The delivery volumes of the satellite smartphone developed to the Mexican authorities fell short of last year´s target. However, in 2020, Bittium aims at volume deliveries of the products.

The development work of the new Bittium Tough SDR soldier and vehicle radios has taken slightly longer than expected. Field tests of the products have been conducted during the last half of 2019, and the actual product deliveries to the customers are expected to begin in the early 2020. The products have been designed to operate under extreme conditions. They have a very wide frequency range with unique interference tolerance and strong security.

The product deliveries of tactical communication system to Austrian Defence Forces began in the second half of the year. This cooperation has been a major step in the internationalization of Bittium´s tactical communication product portfolio. Bittium´s tactical backbone network forms the core of the Austrian Defence Forces´ new tactical communication system. In addition, Bittium also deploys Bittium Tough Comnode and Bittium Tough VoIP products.

Cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces continued strong and Bittium received multiple orders from the Finnish Defence Forces during 2019. The orders included maintenance and further development of tactical communication systems and products during 2019; and Bittium TAC WIN products and Bittium Tough Comnode terminals as well as narrowband waveform development work for the tactical Bittium Tough SDR radios.

The Finnish Defence Forces also ordered porting the European ESSOR (European Secure SOftware-defined Radio) program´s OC1 (Operational Capability 1) phase wideband waveform to the Bittium Tough SDR radios that will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces. The porting of the waveform to the national software-defined radios enables compatibility between radios used in European coalition operations, in accordance with the goals of the ESSOR programme.

From the Estonian Defence Forces Bittium received an order for the Bittium Tough SDR radios and Bittium TAC WIN system products. Bittium Tough SDR radios and Bittium TAC WIN products complement the tactical communications system that has been delivered to the Estonian Defence Forces already previously.

Bittium was granted ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Certificate that includes Bittium´s business and support processes, information security, personnel and premises safety, as well as continuous improvement methods. ISO 27001:2013 specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system within the context of the organization. It also includes requirements for the assessment and treatment of information security risks tailored to the needs of the organization.

Market outlook

The following factors are expected to create demand for Bittium´s products and services in 2020 and beyond:

  • In the defense sector´s tactical communication market the governments´ defense forces and other authorities need networks that troops, who are more and more constantly on the move, can use for transferring growing amounts of data securely. This creates demand for Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network broadband network and for other Bittium´s IP-based (Internet Protocol) tactical communications solutions, as well as for Bittium´s new tactical communication handheld and vehicle radios that fulfill the needs of data transfer of moving troops or individual soldiers. Bittium continues its efforts to bring its defense market targeted products and services also to the international defense markets and aims to get new international customers for its tactical communication system in 2020. Due to the long sales cycles driven by purchasing programs of national governments, will take time to receive purchase orders.
  • The use of LTE technology, smartphones and applications continue to increase in special verticals such as public safety creating demand for Bittium Tough Mobile secure LTE smartphone and other customized special terminals based on Bittium´s own product platform. The awareness of mobile security risks is growing and the interest towards secure mobile devices is increasing. The implementation of LTE-based devices in Public Safety markets has been slower than expected due to the delay of the device functionalities required by the authorities and due to the slow progress of the market. The sale of the secure terminal products is expected to develop moderately according to the nature of public safety markets.
  • Using public network connections in portable devices is increasing also in demanding professional use, such as in the public sector. This creates requirements for network connections to be easy to use and secure. The products in the Bittium SafeMove product family enable the ease of use of the devices and security in demanding use.