Safer, speedier travel for Turkish railway passengers

GSM-R upgrade by Nokia Siemens Networks to enhance security and speed on Eskisehir-Ankara high-speed train line

Turkish State Railways, T.C. Devlet Demiryolları (TCDD), is working with Nokia Siemens Networks and Thales Spain to upgrade its Global System for Mobile Communications– Railway (GSM-R) infrastructure for the rail line between Eskisehir and Ankara. Nokia Siemens Networks will supply a GSM-R network that provides reliable voice communication between staff on the train and the operation center.

On-board digital radio signaling and diagnosis systems* from Thales will provide additional advanced operational features such as reporting and monitoring of the exact position and travel direction of trains. This feature is expected to enable an increase in the frequency of train services on Turkey's first high-speed line which was designed for speeds of up to 250 km/h. The radio network will be built with geo-redundant** features to help ensure uninterrupted voice communication and signaling, increasing the reliability of the system.

“This project also underlines our global leadership in the GSM-R market where we already have 55% share in terms of number of commercial networks and length of operated GSM-R lines, and further strengthens our co-operation with Thales and TCDD lines,” said Murat Kırçuval, head of customer team and country director at Nokia Siemens Networks Turkey.

“Nokia Siemens Networks’ GSM-R upgrade will help TCDD ensure greater safety for passengers travelling on the Eskisehir-Ankara route,” said Ferit Peremeci, CEO of Thales Spain, Turkey Branch. “Apart from that, the travel time on this route will also be shortened to a great degree, offering travelers a superior experience”.

The company is providing its GSM-R radio network equipment, including BS 240 base stations and base station controllers. In addition, it is also supplying Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)*** transmission equipment and Transport Network Management System (TNMS).

The Nokia Siemens Networks GSM-Railway meets the enhanced safety, interoperability and quality expectations of railway operators while reducing operational costs and providing additional differentiation potential in the transportation market.

About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks 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.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 150 countries and had net sales of over 14 billion euros in 2011. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Defense & Security and the Aerospace & Transportation markets. In 2011, the company generated revenues of €13.1 billion with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.