07 March 2024

Telenor has installed a base station in Antarctica at the Norwegian Polar Institute’s research station in Troll.

The base station, which Telenor claims to be the world’s southernmost, is operated from Svalbard. The Norwegian research station, Troll, in Antarctica, has now gained extensive coverage in the surrounding area.

“There has been a fruitful dialogue with the Norwegian Polar Institute regarding the possibilities offered by a base station in Antarctica,” said Telenor Svalbard in a statement. “Telenor, with its presence in Svalbard, has extensive experience in building and operating mobile networks in Arctic regions. Mobile coverage is crucial for two Arctic polar regions. For research environments, it is particularly attractive to be able to use mobile technology in the collection of data from fieldwork. Mobile coverage also provides new opportunities for research and environmental monitoring in Antarctica.”

In addition to close collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute, Telenor Svalbard also collaborates with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), responsible for the communication service from the Troll station.

KSAT owns and operates TrollSat, one of the world’s most important ground stations for collecting data from, among other things, climate, and environmental monitoring satellites, which is co-located with the research station on Troll. KSAT is responsible for satellite-based information being sent out from Troll to users all over the world.

“Full mobile coverage on Troll also benefits our users and simplifies communication with the outside world. We are therefore pleased that the satellite link from Troll can also be used for mobile phone traffic,” said KSAT in a statement.