PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe SA has selected Frequentis’ dispatcher terminals and communication nodes for a nationwide global system for mobile communications-railway (GSM-R) upgrade to be deployed by prime contractor Nokia.
Nokia is providing a common IT platform for all core software in the GSM-R network for the Polish project. GSM-R is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications.
It enables reliable, digital communications between train drivers and signallers, improving call quality and introducing functional numbering, as well as new services, such as group calls, resulting in a fundamentally enhanced customer experience.
Current driver-signaller radio communications in Poland already rely partly on GSM-R, but largely still on analogue radio networks, which have limited functionality and are expensive to maintain.
GSM-R will deliver the foundations for a digitally enabled railway network that can keep pace with industry developments such as European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and European Train Control System (ETCS).
The project will enable Poland’s state-owned railway group PKP to enhance the reliability and safety of national railway operations.
Poland will become one of the first customers to use the latest release of Frequentis’ fixed terminal rail communication system, FTS 3020, featuring the new DICORA S20 operator working position with touchscreen and new AudioHub, together with the DIVOS recording solution for the legal recording of all calls and data over the entire GSM-R network, including geographical redundancy thanks to the locations of the Core Nodes.
The FTS 3020 Dispatch Network for PLK will be one of the most modern and, with 1,600 operator working positions once the roll-out is completed, also one of the largest in the world.
Frequentis public transport vice-president Thomas Karl says: “Working on this project is certainly a leap forward in our goal to provide more software centric solutions and underlines our leading position in fixed terminal systems for railways. The first phase of the network, the core nodes and equipping the first lines with GSM-R is planned for end of 2019 and we are looking forward to working with PKP on this implementation.”