Nokia Siemens implements GSM solution for North Railways

New Delhi: Nokia Siemens Networks today stated that it has implemented GSM Railways (GSM-R) communications solution under the Mobile Train Radio Communication project for North Central Railway.

GSM-R or Global System for Mobile Communications-Railways is a mobile telephony technology used specifically for Railways project, so that cell phones can be used for communication between various officials involved in train operations even at very high speeds.

According to a press release the solution replaces earlier communication methods with a single streamlined digital radio system, which carries directly signalling and operational information between the moving train driver, guard and train controller on ground enabling higher speeds, and greater traffic density with improved safety, security and reliability.

However, with GSM-R network in place, the loco-pilot project, instead of heading for the emergency socket, needs to press the emergency button on his GSM-R handset and he would be connected with the control office instantaneously.

The solution has currently been deployed on a 270-km stretch between Mathura and Jhansi under North Central Railway. In India, Nokia Siemens Networks isimplementing GSM-R solution for the Northern Railway, North Frontier Railway and East Central Railway.

There are two key vendors who provide GSM-R equipment Siemens (now Nokia Siemens Network) and Nortel Networks.