Kapsch awarded multi-year contract to maintain GSM-R network in the UK

Kapsch CarrierCom today announced that it has been awarded the contract to maintain the entire GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway) network on behalf of British railway infrastructure operator Network Rail. The multi-year agreement will see Kapsch supporting Network Rail’s control center team to ensure the highest levels of network availability, enabling higher frequency of train services and greater safety standards.

GSM-R is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications. In 2010 Kapsch was awarded the contract to roll the new R4 technology out across the UK rail network. The solution provides a secure platform for voice and data communication between railway operational staff, including drivers, dispatchers, shunting team members, train engineers, and station controllers. Network Rail is using it to deliver features such as group calls, voice broadcast, location-based connections, and call pre-emption in case of an emergency..

As a leading GSM-R integrator and service provider, Kapsch will be responsible to deliver a complete set of maintenance service at a very high standard to ensure the best quality of service of the GSM-R application for the railways enterprises.

“Our unique ability to provide end-to-end solutions for network operators looking to roll out and maintain GSM-R technologies means that we are well placed to deliver on this contract. The communications infrastructure of a railway is crucial and we will be working to ensure the highest levels of uptime as well as ensuring value for money for Network Rail,” commented Kari Kapsch, CEO Kapsch CarrierCom.

Kapsch CarrierCom is a global supplier and independent system integrator of telecommunication solutions for railway operators and providers of access, core and transmission networks. In eight R&D centers in Europe and Asia, Kapsch CarrierCom develops applications and services for next generation networks and innovative OSS / BSS solutions. In addition, Kapsch CarrierCom provides an end-to-end service spectrum, which ranges from consulting, designing, installing and integrating, to maintaining, operating and supporting entire networks.

With 70,000 track-kilometers covered by GSM-R, Kapsch CarrierCom is an internationally recognized specialist and partner for railway operators such as the French railway RFF, the German railway DB and Network Rail in the United Kingdom. In the public operator segment, Kapsch CarrierCom’s customers include service providers such as the companies of the Telekom Austria Group, eircom in Ireland and Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan. Kapsch CarrierCom is part of the Kapsch Group and has its headquarters in Vienna.

For further information: www.kapsch.net and www.kapschcarrier.com