Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has awarded
Airwave
a £4.2m contract to install its mobile comms network throughout the
Glasgow subway system.
Airwave will replace SPT's existing analogue radio system with
its secure digital radio technology, that is already being used and
deployed by the emergency services and other public safety
organisations across the UK.
The Airwave system will be installed throughout the Glasgow
subway network, providing radio communications in all trains,
tunnels and stations.
It will enable SPT personnel to benefit from resilient coverage
with one another and the subway control room. In addition, it will
provide SPT personnel with the ability to communicate with the
emergency services and other public safety organisations.
The £4.2m contract will run over a seven year period with
Airwave designing, installing and managing the network.
The infrastructure necessary to support the installation of
Airwave coverage in the subway will also give the SPT the
capability to offer users mobile phone coverage on trains and
deliver improved information services in the tunnels.
Gordon Maclennan, assistant chief executive of SPT, said,
"Airway’s TETRA-based digital system is considered one of the best
in the industry and is far superior to analogue.
"It is also currently used by the police, including British
Transport Police, and is being adopted by other emergency services,
making it an essential contribution to SPT’s emergency planning and
improving the safety of our subway passengers."