Andrew Corp., a global leader in communications systems and products, has won a major upgrade contract for the Mass Transit Railway Corporation's (MTRC) territory-wide radio network in Hong Kong. As part of this project, Andrew will modify MTRC’s communications infrastructure in stations, tunnels and other buildings to enable migration of the railway's radio system from a conventional 80 megahertz (MHz) trunk radio system to an 800 MHz TETRA (terrestrial trunked radio) system.
“The MTRC is recognized as one of the world's top railway operators with a reputation for technical excellence," said Matt Melester, vice president, Wireless Innovations Worldwide Business Operations, Andrew Corp. “This radio frequency (RF) upgrade project for TETRA is one more example of how accurate that perception is. Andrew has built a highly successful relationship with MTRC over the last 15-plus years, and we are extremely proud to continue providing our support of Hong Kong’s transit system and its customers.”
TETRA is a mobile radio standard often employed by public safety and emergency organizations. The MTRC’s existing 80 MHz radio system was built in the early 1990s, and while system expansions were made over the past 14 years, the upgrade will support significantly more advanced functions, including individual call, group call with flexible grouping, and digital data transmission.
The project is the latest of a number of large-scale projects on which Andrew and the MTRC have partnered in recent years, including the upgrade of the MTRC’s wireless network infrastructure to support UMTS, a third-generation technology standard for public mobile phone services, in 2004. Andrew was selected for the RF upgrade project for TETRA based on its long-term, successful relationship with the MTRC, its technical expertise, and the superior performance and value of its products.
Andrew will provide a complete end–to-end service for the MTRC, from designing and manufacturing the required system components, through on-site installation, to training the MTRC staff who will be implementing the system. Andrew will also provide comprehensive maintenance services to the MTRC as part of this project.