China Ministry of Railways and Nortel Networks have signed an agreement under which Nortel Networks will provide a GSM for Railways (GSM-R) digital wireless communications network for trial on the world's highest rail line - the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
GSM-R is a radio-communications system that expands on the GSM standard to provide additional features specifically intended for railway operations. A landmark project for China's West Development Strategy, the Qinghai-Tibet GSM-R trial is expected to be one of the first in China. More than 84% of the 1,142-kilometer Qinghai-Tibet Railway is 4,000 meters or more above sea level. Nearly half is built on perennially frozen earth, requiring advanced technology and extensive experience in network deployment, operation and maintenance.
"Our proven track record in providing end-to-end GSM-R solutions with high reliability and stability positions us to address the stringent geographical and environmental conditions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and to cost-effectively deliver safety and premium services we expect to benefit both passengers and railway employees," said Robert Mao, president and chief executive officer, Greater China, Nortel Networks.
Plans call for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway trial to cover 186 kilometers. It is expected to be the first test track in Asia supported solely by GSM-R - with no analogue radio system for back-up. It is also expected to be the first in Asia to use GSM-R to transmit safety data for train control, and the first to adopt double coverage solutions to enhance system availability.
Under the agreement with China Ministry of Railways, Nortel Networks will provide advanced wireless equipment including Intelligent Network (IN), Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Base Station Controllers (BSC) and Base Transceiver Stations (BTS). Nortel Networks will also supply related software and services."
Posted to the site on 5th March 2004
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/10775.php