Huawei Australia and UGL have been awarded a $136m contract to build and maintain digital radio systems to deliver voice and data services across Perth’s rail network.
Huawei said on July 6 it will deliver the Radio Systems Replacement project for Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority, as part of a joint venture with UGL. The project begins this month, and is due for completion in 2021.
The project targets a total end-to-end digital radio solution across the PTA’s 180 kilometre electrified rail network, and the new Forrestfield Airport Link twin tunnels.
The joint venture will design, install and commission the service, and maintain the new digital radio system for an initial five-year period, with two options for a further five years each.
Huawei Australia chairman John Lord said the PTA contract reinforced the company’s strong long-term investment focus in the Australian market.
“Huawei is extending its trusted portfolio of solutions towards industry and strengthening its customer base in mission critical market segments,” Lord said. “We are modernising the Australian transportation sector through digital technologies developed for the global market.”
Lord said Huawei has been providing similar communications technology services to Sydney Trains and Ambulance NSW safely and securely for nearly a decade.
“We thank the PTA for the trust they have placed in Huawei and their support for WA local businesses, as we work closely together over the coming years to realise this substantial project,” Lord said.
The project will use local WA labour, and local steel will go into the outdoor cabinets and towers required.
Huawei said the new systems will operate over a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) network using the PTA’s existing 1800MHz spectrum.