SELEX Elsag wins a contract to upgrade Singapore North East Line TETRA communications system

SELEX Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, was awarded a contract by NEC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, a leading IT services provider, to upgrade the Singapore North East Line (NEL) TETRA communications system.

NEL’s existing TETRA system was originally supplied by SELEX Elsag. The TETRA digital radio network provides voice and data communications between Operating Control Centre (OCC) operators and other users of the network to fully support the safe and efficient driverless operation of the
Singapore NEL.

This upgrade involves the replacement of the existing SCN-T to SCN Plus, the latest generation TDM based Switching & Control Node. It also involves the upgrade of the existing TETRA Base Station, as well as provision of new TETRA Mobile & Train Computer Interface for the new trains. The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

NEL is the world first fully automated heavy underground metro, which officially opened in June 2003. Since its launch, NEL has seen journeys growing year-on-year. Annual usage grew by 12.9% to about 156 million in 2011, compared to the year before. This TETRA upgrade is in line with the purchase of 18 new trains. These will boost NEL’s capacity to meet increase projected ridership growth along the 20km North-East corridor from HarbourFront station to Punggol station by about 70%.

This new order builds on the success of the company’s global track record in the Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) market. SELEX Elsag is a leading provider of both key elements for global communication networks (such as router and VoIP technologies) and secure, flexible, interoperable turnkey solutions. These are based on a wide range of enabling technologies. They ensure transparent connectivity in all circumstances to users and improve the effectiveness of public safety, medical emergency services, civil defence agencies and national security operations