Kapsch supplies GSM-R technology to Hungary

Kapsch CarrierCom will equip the Hungarian railway network with GSM-R technology on a stretch of over 900 km and subsequently handle the associated maintenance work. The customer for the project, which amounts to a total volume of roughly 46 million euros, is the Hungarian state holding company NISZ Zrt. (Nemezeti Inforkommunikációs Szolgáltató). Completion is scheduled for the end of 2015.

The consortium, which consists of Kapsch and the Hungarian transmission network expert MVM OVIT Zrt. (Országos Villamostávvezeték), will install the Hungarian GSM-R network over the next two years. MVM OVIT is responsible for the physical infrastructure measures, while Kapsch will be supplying all the technology for the GSM-R network and has also obtained the system maintenance contract for three years.

The end-to-end solution is a scalable, high-performance architecture that offers especially extensive functionality and high availability. Kapsch will implement a powerful GSM-R network based on 3GPP Release 4 Core technology as well as base stations of the newest generation. A modern service control point will also be included as the central control component for the entire service processing. “Due to its geographic location, Hungary is a key country for European transit traffic. We therefore consider this order a particularly important reference project,” explains Dr. Kari Kapsch, CEO Kapsch CarrierCom.

Many paths lead through Hungary

The implementation of the GSM-R technology in Hungary is of great significance since three of the most important pan-European rail corridors run through the country. The interoperability of the safety systems is therefore of the highest priority for smoothly functioning international railway transportation. With ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management Systems), the European Union has defined a standard that ensures that cross-border railway transportation takes place on the basis of a uniform control, command and signaling system. One core intent of ERTMS is to transition from individual national solutions to a uniform train radio system throughout Europe in order to reduce costs and increase safety. The system consists of two main elements: a uniform signaling system (ETCS, European Train Control System) and the GSM-R radio technology.

The complete solutions for train radio offered by Kapsch are comprised of many individual elements – from infrastructure components to end user devices. It is essential in international railway operations that these elements work together perfectly, even if they originate from different manufacturers. Railway customers can therefore rely on a train safety system that satisfies the highest standards within their own national rail network and can also be utilized in international transportation without additional effort or expense.