£24 million GSM-R contract awarded to Siemens

Network Rail has awarded a contract worth £24 million to Siemens to supply several thousand GSM-R cab radios to meet the demands of the majority of the British rail fleet over the next three years.

This is a milestone in realising the new Railway Communications System (RCS), a high functionality, digital radio system that will allow train drivers to communicate directly with signallers across the whole country. This is a significant step forward for safety and reliability.

Siemens Mobility has a strong background in the supply of train cab radios - as the market leader in the supply of the analogue radios which are now to be phased out with the introduction of the new GSM-R models. 

Siemens, Network Rail, and the Association of Train Operating Companies have worked together with stakeholders from across the rail industry for the last three years developing this equipment to meet the demands of the train operators and passengers. Extensive testing has taken place in Scotland with support from ScotRail. Over 200 cab fitments have been installed through the trials to confirm the well researched human interface as well as the operation and install procedures required.

The contract includes not only the supply of the radios, but also provides fitment details for each of the 76 cab types currently in operation, adding to the complexity of the project. The first GSM-Rs are due to be delivered to Network Rail in July.  . 

Peter Bradley, General Manager of the Mobile Communications group at Siemens Mobility added: "We are delighted to be part of this landmark project which has produced not only a world class product but also demonstrates the benefits of working in an effective partnership"

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Notes to editors:

About Siemens in the UK:

Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 166 years ago and employs 18,402 people in the UK. Last year's revenues were £3.7 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world's major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company's global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk

As part of Siemens in the UK, Siemens Mobility employs around 1800 people, providing expertise and technology in rolling stock, rail infrastructure, traffic solutions and infrastructure logistics to the UK transport industry.

In Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility provides and maintains passenger trains for First TransPennine Express, South West Trains, Heathrow Express, National Express East Anglia, Northern Trains and London Midland.

With proven capability in rail automation, Siemens Mobility has recently delivered a major re-signalling project in the Portsmouth areas, traction power upgrades across the UK and new telecommunications systems in London and the west of England. It is also developing the GSM-R cab radio solution for the entire UK rolling stock fleet.

For more information on Siemens Mobility please visit www.siemens.co.uk/mobility.

For more information, contact:
Anne Keogh
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1276 696312
Mob: +44 (0)7808 823545
[email protected]      

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