Seventy-seven new HDSPA capable regional base stations will be built as part of an AU$85 (US$69) million communications deal signed today between the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and the Australia based network operator, Telstra.
The agreement will see Telstra's Next G (HDSPA) network used to replace nine separate communications systems across 10,000km of rail tracks.
Replacing a series of old technologies, such as two-way radios and CDMA devices, the new network will provide telecommunications coverage for the interstate rail network - from Brisbane to Perth (via Melbourne and Broken Hill) and in the Hunter Valley. The agreement improves coverage in tunnels and across the Nullarbor Plain, introduces new communications equipment for more than 700 locomotives, and is backed up with Satellite if necessary.
Chief Executive Officer of ARTC, Mr David Marchant, said once completed all trains and train controllers would be able to use the one system to communicate with each other across the entire national rail network from Brisbane to Perth, as well as the Hunter Valley Coal Network, eliminating the inefficient nine different communications systems for train operators.
"ARTC is breaking new ground in Australian rail communications," Mr Marchant said. "A single national communication system will greatly improve operational efficiency and reduce costs associated with managing multiple platforms.
"This national rail network communications backbone will be the envy of the North American and European rail networks. ARTC's approach is to contract our communications delivery, which in itself is a major shift for the rail industry.
Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sol Trujillo, said the ARTC decision was a strong endorsement of Telstra's world leading Next G network.
"Not only does today's agreement provide the best possible communications system for ARTC's national rail network, it also provides Next G mobile coverage for the first time in some remote and regional towns such as Rawlinna (WA), Cook and Nackara (SA), and Loadstone and Telegraph Point (NSW)."
Australian government funding under the Auslink National Transport Plan has been made available to provide this common communications system for the national rail network."
Posted to the site on 3rd April 2007
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/22963.php