Správa železnic awarded Kontron Transportation a EUR 26 million contract to deliver and install the GSM-R system on the route between the border with Germany and the cities of Dolní Žleb, Kralupy nad Vltavou.
“This project is of great strategic importance for Kontron Transportation and strengthens our company’s strong position as the primary general contractor and supplier for Správa železnic. Step by step, the railway network in the Czech Republic is being expanded to become one of the most modern in Europe,” said Richard Neussl, Managing Director Kontron Transportation Group.
At the end of 2022, Kontron Transportation handed over the R system on on the line section Kralupy nad Vltavou – Neratovice to the Správa železnic. The main focus of the project was the construction of the BTS base stations, which ensure the GSM-R signal propagation along the line section and thus the connection between the network user and its central connection system. The GSM-R signal on this section is not only for voice communication but is fully prepared for the future deployment of ETCS Level 2 and above. Although the GSM-R digital radio system is as old as the ETCS L2 system, the deployment of the GSM-R system is significantly earlier than the ETCS L2 signalling system.
In October 2024, Správa železnic celebrated the completion of GSM-R radio system on the busy line from Pardubice via Hradec Králové to Jaroměř. The contract has been awarded to Kontron Transportation and Teplotechna Ostrava and the total investment costs amounted to CZK 243 million (EUR 98.2 million). Not only the whole line from Pardubice to Jaroměř, but also the section from Hradec Králové to Praskačka on the link between the regional capital and Chlumec nad Cidlinou, has received the GSM-R digital radio system.
At the end of 2024, the company already received a EUR 34 million order for the expansion of a GSM-R system in the Czech Republic between Hranice and the border with Slovakia. With the realisation of these projects, a wide range of voice and data services required for daily rail operations will now be provided. Under this contract, Kontron Transportation started the work in March 2024 and works are scheduled to be completed three years later. It consists of various activities and technical solutions mutually connected to each other to achieve the common goal of a smooth running GSM-R network for future ETCS Level 2 use. Kontron said that this project activities are supported by proven subcontractors.
The construction extends the existing GSM-R digital radio network operated by the state organization SŽ (Správa železnic) on the line between the city Hranice and the border with the Slovak Republic. This GSM-R system, which provides a wide range of voice and data services required for daily railway operations, is a further step towards modernising the railways in the Czech Republic.
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