Nokia enhances train safety and speed with next generation GSM-R solutions

Nokia enhances train safety and speed with next generation GSM-R solutions

Evolves GSM-R solution to enable automated train control, help railway operators handle 40% more train traffic

June 18, 2014

Espoo, Finland – Nokia is further evolving its portfolio to help train operators improve operational safety and efficiency. The company’s new GSM-R* (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway) product generation for automated train control provides effective and reliable communication of critical real-time information for high-speed train operations. With Nokia’s GSM-R supporting automated train control, train operators can now handle up to 40% more train traffic while simultaneously ensuring safety of operations.

Nokia’s latest GSM-R products help operators to meet the requirements of European railway authorities** for mission-critical voice and data communications. As one of the inventors of GSM-R, Nokia has now evolved its product portfolio to a geographically-redundant core solution*** based on the latest hardware.

The company has also developed a scalable radio system supported by IP transport, which reduces operating expenditure and prepares railway operators for migration to future IP-based mobile broadband technologies, like LTE. Through its Global Services, Nokia offers a full GSM-R solution that integrates partner products and turnkey services, including network design, project execution and multi-vendor managed services.

“Nokia’s GSM-R portfolio was created to provide best-in-class safety and speed to railway passengers, and to ensure reliability and long-term support for railway operators. It’s a perfect fit to our overall mobile broadband strategy,” said Dirk Lewandowski, head of railway solutions, Networks, Nokia. “With 29 GSM-R networks deployed across more than 20 countries serving 70,000 km of railways globally, we are the market leader in this arena.”

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 About Nokia

Nokia invests in technologies important in a world where billions of devices are connected. We are focused on three businesses: network infrastructure software, hardware and services, which we offer through Networks; location intelligence, which we provide through HERE; and advanced technology development and licensing, which we pursue through Technologies. Each of these businesses is a leader in its respective field.

Through Networks, Nokia is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly. www.nsn.com / www.company.nokia.com

* Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSM-R) is a proven digital platform that is now the standard for railway-specific voice and data operational services in four continents including Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

GSM-R is the telecommunications component of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), the European standard for railway communication and train control systems. ERTMS is graduating to the second stage of implementation: while GSM-R was primarily used for voice communication, it is now becoming a mission-critical element in ERMTS Level 2 deployments by transmitting safety relevant operational data, thus ensuring seamless remote controlled operation of high-speed trains.

Nokia has deployed 29 GSM-R networks in more than 20 countries serving 70,000 km of railways, making it the number one GSM-R vendor in both number of commercial networks and length of operated GSM-R lines. The company’s GSM-R networks serve railways in Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and Turkey.

** European Rail Traffic Management System is the European Standard for Railway communication and Train Control systems that enables railways to operate high-speed trains in a Europe-wide interoperable environment, ensuring safety and highly reliable train operations for passengers. The two main components of ERTMS are the European Train Control System (ETCS), a standard for in-cab train control, and GSM-R, the GSM mobile communications standard for railway operations.

*** In order to fulfill the standard requirements for near 100% availability of a GSM-R network, train operators require a second back-up core network which immediately and seamlessly can take over all functions (in case of an outage) to ensure continuity of rail operations. Nokia’s core network elements are fully prepared for geo-redundancy with the roll out started in four European countries.

www.company.nokia.com