Norway railway communications integrated into one dedicated system

Network built by Nokia Siemens Networks to increase safety and ensure efficient communication between traffic control and railway personnel

“A boost for railway safety in Norway, and a dedicated communications system that many countries will envy.” This is how Terje Hoemsnes from Nokia Siemens Networks summarizes the expansion of the GSM-R network which was officially operational on 1st of November by Norwegian National Rail Administration.

The new digital GSM-R mobile network replaces five different analog networks for the communication between train sets and control centers. The network will increase traffic security for Norwegian trains by ensuring seamless communication for employees along any tracks, totally independent of the location of the train and also when inside tunnels. Norway is amongst the first few countries in Europe where the network allows for communications to function everywhere.

“The transition from analogue railway radio Scanet to GSM-R was completed two weeks ago. We are proud to have delivered on this ambitious project successfully and on time. We worked closely with Nokia Siemens Networks through the entire project, and are very satisfied with the network”, says Harald Nikolaisen from the Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket).

“We are happy to have delivered on this turnkey solution in a country that has several geographical challenges. Nokia Siemens Networks is the leading GSM-R solution provider and this project covering 3800 kilometers of railway network including 650 tunnels has proven our capability to serve other railway customers as well”, says Terje Hoemsnes from Nokia Siemens Networks.

For the network, Nokia Siemens Networks installed over 500 base stations and coverage for 650 tunnels, including also radios for 150 locomotives. In addition, the network includes 7 traffic control centers and 70 local control centers. The turn key delivery value is NOK 1.8 billion.

To date, Nokia Siemens Networks has deployed 20 GSM-R networks in 14 countries serving 50,000 km of railways, making it the world’s Number One GSM-R vendor in both number of commercial networks and length of operational GSM-R lines.