Satellite navigation service interference in Finland – Traficom statistics published

The situational picture produced by Traficom helps authorities, businesses and citizens understand the occurrence of interference, prepare for potential disruptions and develop solutions for addressing them. "Satellite navigation services are a key part of modern society. Monitoring and understanding interference is important to make sure that services function in all sectors. Situational information on the occurrence of interference gives us valuable information for developing preparedness and rapid response", says Traficom Director-General Jarkko Saarimäki.

What is satellite navigation service interference and why is does it matter?

Interference in satellite navigation services refers to disruptions in the reception of GNSS systems. The best-known satellite navigation systems are the American GPS, the European Galileo, the Russian GLONASS and the Chinese BeiDou. GNSS signals are critical for many sectors, providing data for navigation, positioning and time synchronisation. Service interference can be caused by many factors, such as various natural deviations, radio interference or even intentional jamming.

"Even when interference in GNSS reception is momentary and limited, it can still impact many services, which can lead to anything from annoyed users to total disruptions in service operations. In mobility-related services, like maritime traffic, road transport and aviation, satellite navigation interference typically reduces the accuracy of positioning, which can cause additional work and slow down operations. Good reception is equally important in services using GNSS time synchronisation; for example, the time data from signals in mobile and television networks is used for synchronising the different parts of a network, in which case longer-lasting interference can impact the operation of networks" explains Traficom manager Suvi Juurakko-Lehikoinen.

Situation in Finland in 2024

According to Traficom's situational picture for 2024, the amount of satellite navigation interference has increased, especially in aviation and maritime traffic, but reports indicate that the state of on-ground services has remained stable. Still, the impacts of interference are also observable on land, especially in coastal areas or in easternmost Finland.

The interference in aviation and maritime traffic originates from outside Finnish borders. It has been particularly felt in Finnish airspace and open seas within Finnish borders, with widely observed interference in the Gulf of Finland, especially in aviation, but also in maritime operations since the turn of April and May. In these cases, the impacts have focused on navigation, specifically positioning.

Although there has been much interference, its impact has often been short-lived and limited, allowing restored positioning or continued operations with alternative methods enabled by good preparedness. Nevertheless, interference always affects the smooth running of operations and creates extra work for the personnel responsible for vessel navigation. GNSS interference has not had widespread impact on the availability or reliability of other services.