Andrew, the CommScope, Inc. division that is a global leader in wireless communication systems and products, has signed a contract with Alcatel-Lucent Switzerland for providing radio frequency (RF) coverage solutions in the world’s longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland.
Andrew will provision its ION(TM)-M multi-band, multi-operator fiber distributed antenna system and RADIAX® radiating cables to spread reliable, high-performance wireless coverage throughout the tunnel. Railway operators and emergency personnel will be primary users of the system with GSM-R and PMR communications standards supported, while public 2G and 3G mobile network customers will also benefit with improved coverage.
“Railway systems rely on clear and constant communication among train engineers and control centers for smooth and safe operation,” said Markus Kalt, vice president of business operations, EMEA, Wireless Innovations, Andrew. “Andrew is honored to be chosen by Alcatel-Lucent for supplying the coverage solutions that help ensure such important exchanges.”
Unique challenges in supporting railway communications in tunnels include the high-speed handoffs that are required as passengers zip through the tunnel. Gotthard Base Tunnel commuters will travel at speedsof up to 250 kilometers per hour. Andrew’s ION-M solution, which includes over 600 remote units for this project, is tuned to handle such quick hand-offs. In addition to the Gotthard Base Tunnel’s main carriageway tunnel tubes, the railway system consists of numerous access and service tunnels totaling 153 kilometers in length. Andrew’s RADIAX radiating cables will support the entire tunnel system.
AlpTransit Gotthard, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swiss Federal Railways, is constructing the Gotthard Base Tunnel as part of a new flat rail link through the Swiss Alps. With a length of 57 kilometers, the world's longest tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. Transtec Gotthard, a consortium of four industry leaders, has been contracted for the provisioning of the complete railway technology. Alcatel-Lucent Switzerland is the partner responsible for furnishing telecommunications and tunnel control technology.
“Being responsible for communications in the Gotthard Tunnel, we needed a versatile, multi-functional system that could handle essential, emergency, and commercial communications,” said Marco Brugnoni, program manager, Alcatel-Lucent Switzerland. “Andrew has the proven experience in delivering reliable, quality equipment in such scenarios.”
Andrew offers operators worldwide a complete portfolio of coverage and capacity products that includes Node repeaters, indoor antennas, and passive devices in addition to ION optical distribution systems and RADIAX radiating cable. The company boasts over 15 years of experience in designing, testing, installing and managing complicated wireless signal distribution systems for metropolitan railways, tramways, and other large-sized construction projects. 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. Other past projects on high-speed rail systems include ones in Taiwan, Spain, Switzerland, and Norway.
More information about the Gotthard Base Tunnel can be found at www.alptransit.ch and www.transtec-gotthard.ch. More information about Alcatel-Lucent Switzerland can be found at www.alcatel-lucent.ch.
RADIAX is a registered trademark and ION is 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® brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® brands, CommScope is a world leader in network infrastructure solutions, delivering a complete end-to-end physical layer solution, including cables and connectivity, enclosures, intelligent software and network design services, for business enterprise applications. CommScope also is 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:
Barbara Ghini, Andrew (Europe)
+39 0546 697 139 or barbara.ghini@andrew.com
Rick Aspan, CommScope
+1 708-236-6568 or publicrelations@andrew.com
Investor Contact:
Phil Armstrong, CommScope
+1 828-323-4848