Eltel is selected to operate the upcoming digital radio system at all Banedanmark railway lines in Denmark. The contract was won in an EU tender and triggers in Danish crowns a three-digit million amount, over the next five years.
Efficient, safe and fewer train delays. This will be the result when Banedanmark replaces the current analogue radio system with a digital system based on GSM-R– Global System Mobile for Railway Communications. The new system is a closed mobile system that ensures continuously open line between the train operators and remote control centre. Eltel’s assignment will be to operate the new system.
−We are proud to help Banedanmark to keep their trains on time, for the next five years. It is the objective in the railway infrastructure renewal, and we look forward to accomplishing the assignment, says Morten Simonsen, Regional Manager, Eltel Denmark, about the three-digit million contract. Eltel’s responsibilities will be to monitor the radio system 24/7, maintain and optimize it, take care of fault repair, and keep Banedanmark up to date for further development.
Increased safety and reliability
Eltel has recruited 15-20 engineers after winning the international tender, and will further employ an additional number of GSM-R specialists, in the coming years.
−Our strength is that we have 80 cars with technicians, who have specialist skills just in GSM-R. E.g. if a storm causes a substantial failure Eltel can immediately mobilize technicians on all the sites. The current analogue system has many years behind it, and it is difficult to obtain the necessary spare parts. If a critical component breaks down, there is a risk that the whole train traffic will stop. Strengths of the new digital radio system are both security and the reliability. In future, the traffic in most cases would continue even though a component is broken.
Focus on operations
The new radio system will be common throughout the EU, which makes it easier to travel by train, across national borders. Furthermore, the GSM-R means fewer train delays due to decreasing number of faults and stable communication between trains and control centres. And from now on, Eltel Networks is responsible for that the radio system operates smoothly.
− At the beginning of the year, we will take over the analogue network and will make sure that Banedanmark’s new radio system, from Nokia Siemens Networks, works according to the contract. From January 1, 2013, Eltel will start GSM-R network installation works to the S-train lines, and one year later the digital radio system will be implemented in the rest of the country, says Morten Simonsen.
Eltel in Brief
- Eltel builds, connects and cares for Infranet solutions based on an effective interplay between electricity, telecom and IT.
- Eltel has many years experience in implementation and system maintenance of multiple GSM network telecommunications providers. E.g. Eltel Sweden has experience with operation and maintenance of analogue radio and GSM-R. The company has thereby one of the widest and deepest mobile and radio competences in Scandinavia.
- Eltel has 7,700 employees and a turnover of EUR 856 million.
More information:
Morten Simonsen, Regional Manager, Eltel Networks, Denmark
Tel. +45 2878 5380, morten.simonsen@eltelnetworks.com