GSM-R Networks

GSM-R is the wireless communication standard for railway networks. It has been developed under European Union sponsorship to assist railways in achieving their goals of network interoperability, reduced operational costs, improved safety at higher speeds, and delivery of new services for the benefit of passengers and employees. More and more countries are adopting GSM-R technology worldwide.

We have gained unrivaled experience since 1999 by being the sole network supplier of the world's largest operational GSM-R network with Deutsche Bahn (DB) in Germany. Nortel keeps its leadership in GSM-R technology by proving that with Nortel GSM-R solution, calls could be held up during world record train speeds!

Nortel is the only provider having presence in 3 continents with national contracts in France, Germany, UK and Austria. Nortel also has GSM-R contracts in Algeria, China, Czech Republic, Italy, India, Spain, Slovakia, and most recently in Lithuania. Nortel has currently a majority percent of the market share, covering more than 60,000 km of the over 100,000 km in tracks contracted to date.

Over the past ten years, railway operators have come to expect a high-quality innovative GSM-R solution, which includes international interoperability, a high degree of reliability, exceptional robustness, easy maintenance and professional services. GSM-R is a custom solution designed to meet the needs of railway operators globally.

• Safe: GSM-R provides high availability and fully supports the European Train Control System (ETCS); tests with the Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) have commenced.
  
• Cost Efficient: The European Integrated Railway radio Enhanced Network (EIRENE) project has selected the GSM-based GSM-R technology due to cost advantages -- GSM-R benefits from GSM-related economies of scale and operational advantages.
  
• Feature Rich: The close collaboration of suppliers and railways ensures that features of existing communication solutions and new innovative features are integrated into GSM-R to address the needs for railway communication.
  
• Interoperable: The international harmonization of the GSM-R technology and frequencies provides cost reduction and operational benefits.
  
• Future Proof: GSM-R offers a clear evolution path towards higher data capacity by delivering GPRS or EDGE capabilities and seamless interoperability with WiFi or WiMAX.
  

The GSM-R solution is based on standard GSM technology and uses additional features customized for railways operations. The design of a GSM-R network is tailored to achieve the goals of interoperability with other railway networks, increased operational efficiencies and reduced operational costs.

Nortel is actively supporting GSM-R with a new Core and Access portfolio.

The Nortel GSM-R Access solution builds on the strength of the widely deployed family of GSM Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and Base Station Controllers (BSC). Nortel's GSM-R access portfolio has been developed to support specific needs of railway operators and operates in the standard GSM-R frequency band but also in the public GSM frequency bands.

As for public operators, Nortel's GSM-R Core solution provides the evolution of TDM based voice networks to packet based voice networks. Nortel's Core solution provides exceptional safety and reliability to railway operators.

Nortel's GSM-R systems use GSM Operations, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning (OAM&P) solutions that feature a set of products designed to support centralized maintenance and management of GSM, GPRS, and EDGE networks.