Bittium

Finnish device manufacturer Bittium has specialised in developing reliable, secure communications and connectivity solutions for more than 30 years. The company produces platforms for a range of markets, including government authorities, the armed forces, and the police and fire services, as well as creating Internet of Things solutions for the industrial sector. Bittium develops many of its advanced devices on Android, and has a core team of 150 dedicated to Android development. Android’s flexibility and range of ready-made and customisable solutions have enabled Bittium to bring two variants of Android devices to the market. For customers requiring access to apps like Google Maps, Gmail and Chrome, Bittium offers devices that include Google Mobile Services. For customers requiring more bespoke network and connectivity solutions, the company also provides devices without these services. “For us, it’s important to make devices with Google Mobile Services included, as it helps us compete with other devices in the market and many customers want a bigger range of apps, but it’s just as important that the device can be customised without them," says CEO, Hannu Huttunen. Because Android is an open-source system, Bittium can easily develop new devices equipped with advanced features, such as its latest Tough LTE Mobile smartphone. “Thanks to Android’s ease of use and versatility, we can develop proprietary functionality without the need to invest our own resources in basic development," says Hannu. These reduced costs have also led to business growth, with Bittium hiring 70 new staff in the last year.

For us, it’s important to make devices with Google Mobile Services included, as it helps us compete with other devices in the market and many customers want a bigger range of apps, but it’s just as important that the device can be customised without them.

Hannu Huttunen, CEO, Bittium