Huawei released its eLTE solution in SA during the Africa Transport and Infrastructure Show this week.
According to the company, the eLTE solution, which features ubiquitous mobile network access and broadband data transmission capabilities, is useful to multiple industries, including transport, oil and gas, mining, energy, large enterprises, and power and electricity.
In an interview with ITWeb, Norman Frisch, director for business development railway solutions for Huawei Enterprise, said the company's eLTE portfolio is a specially designed wireless telecommunications network that allows typical public mobile radio (PMR) functionality such as push-to-talk, group calls and emergency calls with the additional benefit to transport wireless broadband data communication.
He explained that, as a broadband data network, eLTE offers the PMR functionality required to manage typical tasks of an enterprise operation, with add-on features such as push-to-video, real-time video surveillance (train to ground) or video streaming (ground to train), and onboard Internet services, among others.
"eLTE networks are fourth-generation wireless systems that combine a carrier-grade resilience with the feature set required for PMR applications," said Frisch. "Furthermore, they can be set up, operated and maintained with much less effort than traditional wireless solutions. Therefore, it is much easier for operators in the typical enterprise market to implement these systems for their day-to-day use."
In 2013, he added, Huawei rolled out the world's first broadband trunking solutions, which support broadband trunking, video, data and other services at the same time on one network, allowing for faster network deployment and lower operational costs.
eLTE is a specially adapted LTE solution, Frisch noted. "LTE today is available all across the globe with millions of subscribers benefiting from broadband data access. eLTE specifically has already been implemented in rail, metro offshore platforms and other projects. For example, the metro network for Zhengzhou Metro, in China, makes use of Huawei's eLTE solution to transmit CCTV video streams from inside the train to a ground-based control centre, helping to significantly improve security onboard the train.
"Huawei's LTE technology will be the world's first to be deployed for offshore platforms, bridging up to 37km between platform and land infrastructure."
He believes SA has already made an important step towards providing efficient transportation by deciding to go with GSM-R for its passenger rail network. "GSM-R is a wireless telecommunication system that has been specified by railways in co-operation with the International Union of Railways, UIC. GSM-R systems are in operational use all across the globe, helping railways to improve their operational voice and data communication."
A speedy rollout of the GSM-R network and the integration of the GSM-R functionality into day-to-day rail operations are the next steps in building a reliable transportation system in SA, he added. He also explained that the recently implemented GSM-R technology in SA has demonstrated its ability to help railways improve their operational efficiency in many installations around the world.
"I am confident that, soon, these benefits will also be visible here in SA, allowing passengers to enjoy safe rail operations with improved punctuality and reliability. To further boost the efficiency of the already existing rail infrastructure in SA, consequent use of modern ICT technology in collecting, transmitting and compiling data from rail operations will help to provide vital information for passengers and railway staff."
As a result, Frisch said, increased passenger safety and satisfaction, and better use of existing infrastructure, will be enabled. "With the implementation of GSM-R, SA has opened the door to roll out ETCS L2 technology, a train control signalling system that allows railways to dramatically reduce head times of trains and therefore enables [operators] to bring more trains per track, therefore increasing capacity of the existing rail infrastructure."
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