Nortel to Provide GSM-R Communications for High-Speed Railway Line in Spain

October 18, 2006 // Published as a news service by IHS

The Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) network will also support communications throughout an eight kilometer tunnel across the Pyrenees.

Expected to open in early 2009, the Figueres-Perpignan line will be part of the trans-European transport network initiative promoted by the European Union (EU). It will be integrated into the Southwest Europe high-speed train axis.

As part of its transport policy, the EU adopted legislation for gradual establishment of an integrated European railway area, both legally and technically. This involves the development and implementation of technical specifications for interoperability including communications.

TP Ferro is a company created by the Spanish ACS and the French Eiffage for the construction, operation and maintenance of the high-speed railroad line mixed traffic between Figueres and Perpignan. IFP is a consortium integrated by construction contractors Spanish Cobra and French Forclum responsible for the construction and engineering work. Nortel is providing the GSM-R network and engineering, installation, integration, project and consultancy services for IFP.

"Nortel's GSM-R solution allows the complete integration of vital rail communications between the GSM-R networks of the French Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) and the Spanish Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF)," said Victor Sanz, project director, IFP Figueres-Perpignan.

"Interoperability of communications is a key element of the trans-European rail system that is designed to reduce travel times across international borders significantly for all kind of railway users."

Source: Nortel.