As improvement projects continue in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Andrew Wireless Solutions is helping ensure wireless coverage is at a gold medal standard in Beijing Metro’s six rail lines.
Andrew, the CommScope, Inc. division that is a global leader in communications systems and products, was chosen to supply and install wireless networking systems that will improve coverage and add network capacity in Beijing Metro’s lines, which will see heavy use during the upcoming international event.
“Andrew is proud to supply the equipment along with design and installation expertise to make certain Beijing is ready for the millions of visitors it will receive this year,” said Patrick Leung, managing director, Andrew Telecommunications (China) Co., Ltd., Andrew’s China subsidiary. “Andrew has a strong track record in supporting rail systems around the world, including 12 previous projects in Beijing. In fact, Andrew has supported nearly 30 metro rail projects in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities to ensure world-class wireless communications.”
Andrew’s RADIAX® radiating cables and, in some cases, ION™-M repeaters are being deployed in the Beijing Metro to support private, public and security wireless usage. The Capital Airport Express Line will use Andrew’s equipment for all three applications, ensuring company personnel, passengers and first responders have available wireless signals in the line’s tunnels and on platforms. Passengers with GSM, CDMA, or GPRS-enabled mobile devices will benefit from the enhanced signal capabilities, while emergency personnel and railway employees will have dedicated networks for doing their jobs.
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games has predicted that Beijing will receive 6.4 million visitors during the events, which would have put Beijing Metro’s previous wireless network capacity under strain. “Beijing and other cities in China are witnessing rapid expansion of their metropolitan railway systems,” said Leung. “Andrew is happy to be working with many of these cities to add the necessary wireless coverage for a convenient, satisfying passenger experience. We continue to place high priority in helping develop the Chinese wireless market.”
Installing, tuning and activating new radio networks in subway systems is often challenging, with work limited to off-hour periods. Access to the Beijing lines is only available from midnight until 4:00 a.m. each day, making efficiency a top priority for this project. To assist in meeting deadlines, Andrew implemented a new product inspection process to protect against quality issues that might cause delays. Thanks to these efforts, the first trials are planned for April 1, and Beijing Metro expects to activate the networks for passenger use by August when the Games begin.
Among numerous other projects, Andrew previously was chosen to provide coverage and capacity for the Turin, Italy, underground in advance of the 2006 Winter Olympics and for many of the 2006 World Cup venues in Germany.
RADIAX is a registered trademark and ION a trademark of CommScope, Inc.
About CommScope
CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:CTV) (www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its Andrew Wireless Solutions® brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise®brands, CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for business enterprise applications. It is also the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.
This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see CommScope’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
News Media Contact:
Michelle Meng, Andrew (China)
+86 108 518 960 8 or michelle.meng@andrew.com
Rick Aspan, CommScope
+1 708-236-6568 or publicrelations@andrew.com
or
Investor Contact:
Phil Armstrong, CommScope
+1 828-323-4848