Tunisian Railways Chooses Nokia Siemens to Modernize Communication Systems

Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens (SNCFT), the state owned Tunisian Railway Company, has selected Nokia Siemens (News - Alert) Network to modernize the railway communications systems.

 

To update the railways, Nokia (News - Alert) Siemens will install Global System for Mobile Communications for Railways (GSM-R) that will enable train operators to directly process signal and operation information at a higher speed and greater traffic density. 

 

The GSM-R enables a single streamlined digital radio system to replace all existing voice and data communication systems: reducing costs, improving interoperability and enhancing safety. Built on the GSM Mobile technology, the GSM-R can provide uninterrupted communication.

 

Through this agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks (News - Alert) will supply an end-to-end GSM-R solution, including hardware such as base stations, base station controllers, dispatcher equipment, and hand held devices. The company will also provide a package of services that includes project management that will support a fast and cost-efficient deployment without any interruption to service.

 

The Railway-at-Vantage Intelligent Network (IN) software allows the train controller and the driver/guard to contact each other even without knowing mobile numbers or the location of the locomotive.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Tunisian Railways said, “This project is part of our commitment to provide a safer and more reliable transport network with highly technological real time communications system specially dedicated for railway allowing better performing railway and better services for customers.” 

 

Officials say there is an increasing importance for rail transport as people are looking at more environmentally and economically sustainable ways for transport for their own self and for their goods.  Railways face the challenge of providing better, safer services while reducing operational costs. Nokia Siemens has expertise in combining telecommunication and rail automation and that expertise can help providing solutions that railways need.

 

SNCFT says that there are a lot of advantages for them with the Nokia Siemens solution installed. They can achieve high network performance with minimum network problems and skilled, experienced engineers with in-depth product and planning knowledge will capture relevant information for trouble resolution and technical query services, saving them time and effort.