The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) selected Nokia to design, build and maintain a next-generation railway communications system over the next decade in Perth.

The METRONET infrastructure and public transport program is the long-term blueprint for Perth's future. As a critical element of the METRONET program and as part of the agreement, more than 160 LTE/4.9G radio sites will be built to modernize the railway communication system that includes additional METRONET track and tunnels with a total of 250 kilometers of railway. The solution will be based on Nokia private 4.9 GHz/LTE mission-critical IP/multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), data center fabric and microwave backhaul solutions, to support a communications based train control (CBTC) high capacity signaling system for greater accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional signaling systems.

Nokia’s solution will be used to upgrade the current PTA’s narrowband rail radio systems, replacing the existing analogue technology with a high-tech 4.9 GHz/LTE digital platform which is necessary for extremely reliable mission critical voice, high-speed data and video services. The radio system replacement project is subject to the Critical Infrastructure Act 2021 and therefore must include a full cybersecurity fabric across all solution elements.

“We are thrilled to partner with PTA for this prestigious project to design, build and maintain the next-generation railway communications network,” said Rob McCabe, head of enterprise for Oceania at Nokia. “Powered by Nokia’s private wireless network solution, the new railway communication system will help enhance the accuracy of the system leading to improved experience and safety. Nokia is at the forefront of supporting railway networks accelerate digital transformation for more efficient operations while delivering greater value to the passengers.”