Algerian railway agency ANESRIF has renewed its vendor agreement with Canadian telecom equipment maker Nortel for the rollout of wireless communications using GSM-R technology in two new railway lines in Algeria.

GSM-R technology will improve safety and increase train speeds while reducing operational costs, Nortel said in a statement. It will also step up network interoperability and support new voice applications including emergency and conference calls.

ANESRIF, manager and developer of the Algerian railway system, extended the first GSM-R contract with the Canadian telecoms in 2006 for the El Gourzi-Touggourt line in Eastern Algeria. The renewed contract now covers two new railway lines at Tabia-Mecheria and Bordj Bouarreridj - M'Sila.

The new lines are operated by Algeria's SNTF, the first African railway operator to use GSM-R in its operations.

Nortel will integrate the GSM-R radio system to ANESRIF's network, and deploy GSM-R terminals such as handhelds and cab radios and other telecom services.

The new European Rail Traffic Management System uses GSM-R as it sends information direct to the train driver. This results to faster train speeds and enhanced traffic density while sustaining high-level of safety.

Nortel is the only supplier of GSM-R wireless communications technology in three continents for the past 15 years. It holds national contracts in Austria, France, Germany, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom and other contracts and agreements in China, Czech Republic, Italy, India, Slovakia and Spain.

Source:AHN News