In the year 2017, the share of the services-based net sales decreased as expected caused by the termination of significant customer cooperation with a global network equipment manufacturer during the first half of the year. Despite of decreased net sales caused by the termination of the cooperation, the demand for Bittium´s R&D services developed positively, however, it wasn´t able to replace the decrease in the net sales in total.
Bittium continued significant investments in developing its product business and the share of the product-based business turned to growth. Bittium aims at growth in international defense, public safety and mobile security markets.
The product development project, started in May 2015, to develop Android-based mobile devices that use both terrestrial and satellite connection for their MEXSAT system of the Mexican Ministry of Communication and Transportation, was completed in summer 2017. The first product orders are expected to come during 2017, but due to the internal reasons of Mexican governmental customers, the first phase of the product deliveries was delayed to be mainly started in 2018. Therefore Bittium had to lower its financial guidance for the year 2017.
The cooperation with the Finnish Defense Forces continued. The development of the tactical communication system Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN), used by the Finnish Defence Forces, continued as well as the product deliveries for this communication system. Bittium continued efforts to bring its products and services, targeted to defense industry, to the international defense markets and Bittium received purchase orders for a tactical communications system from its customers in Asia and Europe and delivered a pilot system for a new European customer.
In January 27, 2017, Bittium signed a contract with the Finnish Defence Forces for the delivery of Bittium Tough Mobile LTE smartphones and related Bittium Secure Suite back-end system classified for Confidential level. The contract signifies a strategic decision to reinforce the information security of the wireless communications of the Finnish Defence Forces. In order for a phone and a related back-end system to achieve the Confidential level classification, there are specific information security requirements regarding the processing of classified information, secure wireless transfer of files, and other possible communication, which need to be met.
The deliveries of the Bittium Tough Mobile secure LTE smartphone were carried on and Bittium participated in several security and public safety exhibitions abroad in order to extend its customer base abroad.
At the Critical Communications Europe exhibition in February 8, 2017 Bittium launched a new Confidential classification level version of the Bittium Tough Mobile with its back-end system. Bittium Tough Mobiles unique dual-boot functionality for the Confidential classification level makes it possible to operate the device with two completely separate operating systems: Public and Confidential. The operating system classified as Public is meant for personal communications with access to e.g. social media applications. The operating system classified as Confidential is completely isolated and hardened for secure authority and information security use. The entity enables the user to have only one device for calls and messaging for both personal and for demanding information security needs, thus eliminating the need to carry two separate devices. Although the awareness of security threats thereafter secure mobile devices has increased, the development of security and public safety markets has been somewhat slower than expected. Bittium estimates that the amount of product sales of Bittium Tough Mobile will remain slightly less than expected.
In March 6, 2017, Bittium received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces for further development of the software package (waveform) for the Bittium TAC WIN system. Bittium also received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces for the Bittium TAC WIN system products, which are meant for tactical communications. Both orders are part of the renewal of the Finnish Army´s M18 command, control and communications system, where the Software-Defined Radio based Bittium TAC WIN system forms the core of the Army´s tactical wireless IP network.
In May 4, 2017, Bittium Faros ECG-measuring devices´ built-in algorithms for detection of arrhythmias have received medical device approval in Europe. The algorithms can be used to automatically identify sequences from the heart measurement data. Early detection of atrial fibrillation can be used to predict the risk of brain stroke and to prevent its emergence with timely treatment initiation.
In June 14, 2017, Bittium received a purchase order for supplying the Finnish Air Force with Bittium TAC WIN system. The order is part of the modernization of the radio network performance of the Air Force´s bases with a Software-Defined Radio based IP radio system. With the order the use of the Bittium TAC WIN system within the Finnish Defence Forces´ branches expands to the Air Force.
In June 16, 2017, Bittium Medanalytics Oy, part of Bittium group, and Coronaria Hoitoketju´s subsidiary Coronaria Analyysipalvelut Oy, signed agreements according to which Bittium Medanalytics Oy sold its remote diagnostic service business to Coronaria Analyysipalvelut Oy. According to the agreement Bittium supplies its web-based service kardiolog.fi used in monitoring cardiac abnormalities to Coronaria´s use. Kardiolog.fi service is used by more than 70 Finnish health centers and private medical centers. The net sales of Bittium Medanalytics Ltd in 2016 was EUR 0.4 million. Further, Bittium Technologies Ltd, part of Bittium group, acquired 25 percent of the shares in Coronaria Analyysipalvelut Oy. Through this joint ownership Bittium and Coronaria aim at gaining synergies from Bittium´s device and system development and the interfaces formed by Coronaria´s clinical medicine and services.
On July 6, 2017 the Finnish Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö authorized Finnish Defence Forces to purchase Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system products. Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces signed the Framework Agreement for the purchase of Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system products on August 9, 2017. The Framework Agreement covers the years 2018–2020, and if materialized in full, the total value of the agreement is EUR 30 million (excl. VAT). According to the Framework Agreement, Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders for the products each year. The Framework Agreement did not change Bittium´s financial outlook for the year 2017.
On August 8, 2017, Bittium announced to expand its tactical communication product portfolio with new Software-Defined Radio based Bittium Tough SDR™ product family that includes tactical Bittium Tough SDR handheld and Bittium Tough SDR vehicle radios. The new product family expands Bittium´s tactical communication product portfolio from Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN) and its products that form a mobile tactical IP network to radios that bring broadband data transfer and voice to all mobile troops; from combat vehicles to all the way to an individual soldier. This enables bringing broadband data transfer and voice to all mobile troops starting from brigade level and all the way across the battlefield.
On August 8, 2017 , Bittium and Finnish Defence Forces signed a Letter of Intent concerning the purchase of new software defined radio (SDR) based tactical radios and the preparations of the purchase. The Letter of Intent encompasses products belonging to the new Bittium Tough SDR product family: tactical handheld radio Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™ and tactical vehicular radio Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™. The products are intended for renewing the Finnish Defence Forces´ existing stock of field radios with modern, SDR based broadband data transfer radios to support the reformed combat doctrine. The tactical radios are compatible with Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) SDR based system already used by the Finnish Defence Forces.
According to the Letter of Intent, Bittium will develop the products with their own R&D investments and the Finnish Defence Forces will support the development work by ensuring that the products are suitable for their purposes and by making preparations for the purchase of the products.
The Letter of Intent does not bind the parties into making a purchase agreement. Making the purchase agreement requires that the Finnish Ministry of Defence first authorizes the purchase, based on which Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces would then make a separate purchase agreement. Based on the Letter of Intent, if materialized in full, the total value of the purchase agreement would be approximately EUR 130 million distributed over about 10 years. Should the purchase materialize in full, it would have a significant impact on Bittium´s net sales from the year 2019 onwards. The Letter of Intent did not change Bittium´s financial outlook for the year 2017.
On August 24, 2017, Bittium launched new software for analyzing cardiac event-based ECG measurements and long-term Holter measurements at ESC Congress 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The new software, together with the versatile Bittium Faros ECG measuring device, allows the follow-up and detection of cardiac arrhythmias as well as in-depth analysis of long-term recordings.
On September 6, 2017, Bittium expanded its tactical communications offering by launching a versatile Bittium Tough Comnode terminal. The device fulfils 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). Bittium Tough Comnode is compatible with Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system, Bittium Tough SDR™ tactical radios, and Bittium Tough VoIP™ products, as well as offers diverse connectivity options also to third-party equipment and systems.
Bittium continued efforts to bring its products and services, targeted to defense industry, to the international defense markets and made a pilot system delivery for a new customer in Europe. The new products targeted to defense industry were showcased e.g. at DSEI exhibition in UK, Defence Communications event in Poland, and at Milipol exhibition in France.
On September 12, 2017, Bittium Corporation was awarded the ISO 13485:2016 certificate, which covers the design, development, manufacturing and related services for the entire product life cycle of medical devices. The quality management system based on ISO 13485:2016 standard is a major competitive advantage and supports Bittium´s strategy for Connectivity Solutions´ product and service area. Medical technologies combined with strong expertise in wireless technologies and security provides Bittium with excellent opportunities to serve its customers in the healthcare sector with offering them new R&D services that meet the quality system standard requirements.
On September 18, 2017, National Cyber Security Centre-Finland of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority granted approval for the Mobile Security and Public Safety targeted Bittium Tough Mobile LTE smartphone and related Bittium Secure Suite back-end system to process material that is classified nationally as Confidential. Bittium´s mobile solution is the first one in the world to receive official Confidential level encryption product classification. The mobile solution can be used for creating and processing classified information, as well as for transferring it between smartphone and connected back-end solutions. In order for a phone and a related back-end system to achieve the Confidential level classification, there are specific information security requirements regarding the processing of classified information, secure wireless transfer of files, and other possible communication, which need to be met. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone was showcased at Cyber Security Nordic event in Helsinki, Finland at the end of September.
On November 7, 2017, the joint venture a4ESSOR (Alliance for ESSOR) was awarded a contract by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d´ARmement) to start a new phase of the ESSOR (European Secure Software defined Radio) programme, called ESSOR Operational Capability 1 (OC1). Bittium is part of the OC1 phase that continues the ESSOR programme. During the OC1 phase, the operational capabilities of ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform (HDR WF), meant for joint operations between defense forces of different countries, will be enhanced. With the development of the operational capabilities of the ESSOR HDR WF during the OC 1 phase the new functionalities will be available also for the Tough SDR family of radios. The duration of the ESSOR OC1 phase is 45 months and the value of the contract is around EUR 50 million. The value of the contract will be divided along the duration of the OC1 phase and between the five participant companies: Bittium, Indra, Leonardo, Radmor, and Thales. The contract did not change Bittium´s financial outlook for the year 2017.
On November 27, 2017, Bittium released the new version of the Bittium SafeMove® software product portfolio. The latest software version introduces an intuitive user interface and further enhances information security for demanding environments. The new functionalities enable a faster response to security threats; and efficient implementation of broadband applications with mission-critical data on moving vehicles. The Bittium SafeMove® security solutions were exhibited at HETT Show 2017 in London, UK in September.
In November, Bittium exhibited its innovative products and solutions for neuroscience at Society for Neuroscience 2017 conference in the U.S.A and the Bittium Faros ECG device and software for analyzing cardiac event-based ECG and long-term Holter measurements at Medica exhibition in Germany.
On December 8, 2017, Bittium received a purchase order from the Finnish Defense Forces for versatile Bittium Tough Comnode terminal. The purchase order concerns the final phase of the terminal´s productization over a duration of nine months and the delivery of a batch of the terminals to the Finnish Defence Forces after the end of the productization phase. Bittium Tough Comnode will fulfil the data transfer needs of the Finnish Defence Forces´ 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). The value of the purchase order was EUR 1.1 million (excl. VAT). The purchase order did not change Bittium´s financial outlook for the year 2017.
