IMSI equipment off

Who is behind the false base stations, now switched off, in the Norwegian capital is still unknown

Photo: John Erling Blad / Wikimedia Commons
Many of the false base stations were found in the vicinity of Stortinget, Norway’s parliament.

Susanne Tunge Østhus
The Foreigner

New measurements taken in connection with the suspected espionage showed that the signals were gone from the Aker Brygge, Tjuvholmen, Parkveien, and Lysaker areas, reported Aftenposten, Monday, Jan. 5.

“It is most likely a reaction to the publication and yet another sign that there were active systems there,” Kyrre Sletsjøe, director of cryptology company CEPIA Technologies said.

However, more readings from Norwegian security company Aeger Group and CEPIA Technologies made showed that transmitters in Nedre Vollgate (close to the Parliament) and in Vippetangen near the Ministry of Defense Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office could still be active.

“Some of the active systems are turned off; someone has changed the coverage area and increased its focus,” explained Sletsjøe.

Security specialists have told The Foreigner that the suspected spying is probably not a high-level threat.

The National Security Authority (NSM) and Oslo police have also launched investigations into the matter of the previously unknown false base stations.

Norway’s Police Security Service (PST) initiated their own investigation too on December 15 following the revelations.

Minister of Justice Anders Anundsen dismissed claims made the same day that these base stations were controlled by Norwegian security services. He will present an account to Parliament, Wednesday, Jan. 14.

This article was originally published on The Foreigner. To subscribe to The Foreigner, visit theforeigner.no.

It also appeared in the Jan. 16, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.