ProRail, the Dutch railway infrastructure provider, is upgrading its telecommunications system in conjunction with MobiRail, a joint venture between Nokia Siemens Networks and the Dutch telecom operator KPN.

MobiRail is providing an end-to-end solution for ProRail, incorporating network design, site acquisition, construction works, logistics and project management that will result in a complete network upgrade within three years. The project will ensure a timely upgrade launch of network elements.

“The upgrade of the GSM-R system keeps the network up-to-date and enables ProRail to provide more high quality enhanced railway services. Especially the GPRS upgrade offers new possibilities in using the system,” said Henk Dijkstra, GSM-R ProRail manager.

ProRail is the only GSM-R license holder in the Netherlands and the present upgrade will prepare it to comply with the continued amendments of the European Integrated Railway Radio Enhanced Network (EIRENE). The network upgrade will enhance the GSM-R network to support new railway services such as Infoplus, the system providing travel information to passengers on railway station platforms, including real-time train schedule information displayed on information screens or announced by means of voice messages.

The upgrade also will cover the GSM-R Operations Support Systems (OSS). As a result, ProRail will commission railway@vantage, now an integral part of the Nokia Siemens Networks GSM-R solution.

Source:cellular-news