Underground 3G

Andrew Corporation will install the world's first 3G wireless network of its kind for use in a public transportation system under a two-year contract to upgrade the Hong Kong mass transit railway's (MTR) underground communications network.

"Andrew is proud of its role in helping the MTR become the first mass transit system to provide UMTS-based mobile communications services to its passengers," said Bob Hudzik, president, Wireless Innovations Group, Andrew Corporation. "MTR passengers can pass time by surfing the Internet or watching streaming video while business people can take part in video phone calls and receive high-volume emails. Passengers will benefit from Andrew's deep experience in working with transit systems around the world."

Andrew's design will counteract signal losses and provide better coverage throughout the Metro through use of high-performance tuned radiating cables, large diameter feeder cables, new and relocated antennas at critical signal sites, new amplifiers and reconfigured transmission paths. The Andrew system will encompass all underground stations and tunnels in five MTR lines and the Airport Express. Completion of the entire project including maintenance is expected in 2006.

The new 3G network continues Andrew's work with the MTR. In 1994, Andrew installed the 2LCX integrated radio network to provide GSM, CDMA, and TDMA services. Andrew also installed the paging facilities system in 1994 and has maintained both systems since then."

Posted to the site on 1st December 2004