GET 2009/44
15 December 2009
For release at 12 :45
Eurotunnel selects Alcatel-Lucent to install new European standard,
interoperable
GSM-R radio-communications system
The 21.5 million Euro project will further improve Tunnel safety and
communications efficiency.
Eurotunnel has selected Alcatel-Lucent to modernize the
communications infrastructure in the Channel Tunnel. The new system
will raise the railway communications capacity in the Tunnel to the
highest technological standard and will generate further improvements
in the safety and reliability of the system. The new equipment will
be operational in 2012 in time for the Olympic Games in London.
The introduction of digital technology, together with the addition of
the latest information system innovations will help improve
operations and will provide better service quality. Alcatel-Lucent
will deploy its GSM-R solution across the entire Eurotunnel network,
improving voice and data communications for operations staff and
enabling better service for customers. Alcatel-Lucent will also
provide a set of professional services including end-to-end
integration, deployment, testing and maintenance. These solutions
will facilitate the management of increasingly dense rail traffic and
will further improve safety.
Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eurotunnel,
said:
"The state of the art communications technology that we are
installing in the Tunnel will help us not only to improve safety, but
also to manage cross Channel traffic even more efficiently.
Eurotunnel is accelerating the modernization of its infrastructure
and integrating future signaling requirements in order to be able to
offer a reliable service and to shape its development in a European
context."
Among the important applications enabled by the new communications
system are track to train radio communications between the Railway
Control Centre and the train driver, and communications recording.
The interoperability provided by GSM-R is vital to the project, as
Eurotunnel interacts with different rail operators and numerous
countries. GSM-R is a key component of the European Rail Traffic
Management System (ERTMS), a European standard that ensures
cross-border train control and command.
"The new communications infrastructure will enable Eurotunnel to
safely accommodate the expected traffic growth in the Tunnel,"
commented Tom Burns, President of Alcatel-Lucent's enterprise
activities. "In addition to its innovative transportation solutions,
Alcatel-Lucent will leverage its services suite and delivery
capabilities from both France and the UK to provide a highly
available security network."
Full commercial system including interoperability with on-board
equipment will be ready by the end of 2012.
Eurotunnel is the leader in cross-Channel transport and provides
passenger and freight services between Great Britain and France.
Eurotunnel is committed to sustainable development. Its rail service
between the United Kingdom and France is environmentally-friendly,
producing a significantly lower carbon footprint than maritime
alternatives.
With 30 years of experience, Alcatel-Lucent is a global leader in
implementing integrated communications solutions for railways. In
2009, Alcatel-Lucent has been selected for major projects in Spain,
Kazakhstan, the Chinese cities of Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou,
Sweden and Turkey. In 2008, Alcatel-Lucent was selected by the
Gotthard Base Tunnel, for a major project in Switzerland. More
information about Alcatel-Lucent solutions for the railway industry
is available online.
About Eurotunnel
Until 2086, Eurotunnel (Euronext Paris: GET and London Stock
Exchange: GETS) manages the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and
operates accompanied truck shuttle and passenger shuttle (car and
coach) services between Folkestone, UK and Calais, France. Eurotunnel
holds the concession to operate the Channel Tunnel, the fastest, most
reliable, easiest and most environmentally friendly way to cross the
Channel. In 15 years, nearly 250 million people have used the Channel
Tunnel. This unique land crossing has become a vital link between the
continent and the United Kingdom.
Eurotunnel runs a rail freight business through its subsidiary
Europorte, which offers a wide range of integrated rail freight
services.
For more information, visit Eurotunnel on the internet:
http://eurotunnel.com
For media enquiries: contact on +44 (0) 1303 284491
Email: press@eurotunnel.com
For investor enquiries: contact Michael Schuller on +44 (0) 1303
288749
Email: Michael.schuller@eurotunnel.com
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner
of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide,
providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication
services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged
broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services,
Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific
expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in
the communications industry. With operations in more than 130
countries and the most experienced global services organization in
the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach.
Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is
incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For
more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts
Peter Benedict Tel: +33 (0)1 40 pbenedict@alcatel-lucent.com
76 50 84
Val�rie La Gamba Tel: +33 (0)1 40 valerie.la_gamba@alcatel-lucent.com
76 12 28
Alcatel-Lucent Investor Relations
R�mi Thomas Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 50 remi.thomas@alcatel-lucent.com
61
Tom Bevilacqua Tel: + 1 908-582-7998 bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com
Tony Lucido Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 49 alucido@alcatel-lucent.com
80
Don Sweeney Tel: + 1 908 582 6153 dsweeney@alcatel-lucent.com
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