Thales/Huawei/Imet consortium to modernise telecommunications on Morocco’s rail network
Rabat, 25 July 2014
A Thales/Huawei/Imet consortium has been awarded a €30 million contract for a global system for mobile communications (GSM-R) by Morocco’s national railway operator, ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer). GSM-R ensures communications between trains, ground and train control centres with a high-level of reliability.
The solution will be provided to five lines of Morocco’s railway network, totalling of 712 kilometres, and is the first time a GSM-R system will be installed in the country. These five lines represent the first phase of a comprehensive project, to be completed over the next nine years, that aims to install GSM-R on the whole of Morocco’s rail network - totalling 14 lines and 1,923 kilometres.
The solution will serve Africa’s first high-speed line, which will cover a distance of 185 kilometres between Tangiers and Kenitra. The four other, conventional railway lines will see their existing track-to-train radio system replaced by the GSM-R solution.
Thales and Huawei will cooperate on the implementation of the GSM-R Radio Communication system, while Imet will be responsible for all the civil works of this project.
As consortium leader, Thales will oversee the global management of the project. Thales, a GSM-R integrator with strong technical and business foundations, will also be responsible for the overall system design and system integration. Furthermore, the Group will carry out maintenance activities.
Huawei will provide its GSM-R digital radio system, for operational train-to-ground communication. To ensure voice dispatching and mission-critical services at the highest level of reliability, the GSM-R network will be equipped with Huawei’s IP based ATCAcore network and Distributed Base Stations to cover tunnels. A double coverage radio access network will be deployed along the high speed leg “Tangiers-Kenitra”.
Imet, Italy’s leading company in the field of railway technological and civil work, will provide its expertise in site design and construction, shelters supply, installation and splicing fibre optic cable.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners. For more information please consult: www.thalesgroup.com
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners. For more information please consult: www.thalesgroup.com
About Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through the dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, Huawei has established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei is committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Its products and solutions have been deployed in over 170 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population. For more information please consult: www.huawei.com
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through the dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, Huawei has established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei is committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Its products and solutions have been deployed in over 170 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population. For more information please consult: www.huawei.com
About Imet
Established in 1981 in Perugia, IMET SpA has immediately assumed a leading role in the fields of telecommunications and electrical power distribution.
A philosophy based on the most advanced principles of project management and the efficient management of corporate processes has gained the company a solid position as a System Integrator and General Contractor in many industrial sectors.
Imet Spa as member of the consortium in the years 2002-2013 built the whole system GSM-R along the 18,000 Km of the Italian Railways Lines. For more information please consult: www.imetspa.it
Established in 1981 in Perugia, IMET SpA has immediately assumed a leading role in the fields of telecommunications and electrical power distribution.
A philosophy based on the most advanced principles of project management and the efficient management of corporate processes has gained the company a solid position as a System Integrator and General Contractor in many industrial sectors.
Imet Spa as member of the consortium in the years 2002-2013 built the whole system GSM-R along the 18,000 Km of the Italian Railways Lines. For more information please consult: www.imetspa.it