TRACK TECHNOLOGY
Communicating the benefits As
For over 20 years Alan Dick Communications has been at the forefront of telecoms infrastructure solutions, having started life developing and building networks for the mobile phone operators through the 1990s and 2000s, says Mark Weller.
the UK rail industry looks to update its telecommunications capabilities, there
is a vibrant and upbeat message from Alan Dick Communications as it offers its telecoms expertise.
As the way the way the world communicates changes, the uptake and application of telecommunications technology has seen a massive expansion in recent years, with industry increasingly looking to leverage its benefits. The rail industry in the UK is upgrading both its fixed telecommunications FTN network and its Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM-R), as part of the upgrade path for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) (more on p210).
Alan Dick Communications was at the
forefront of developing the containerised base station solution, which involved fitting out the telecoms equipment into cabins within a production environment allowing speedy deployment onto a mobile network. Alan Dick Communications integrated and installed over 14,000 telecoms equipment cabins across the UK mobile network.
This model has been used by Network Rail to roll out its FTN and GSM-R networks, with ADC integrating over 2,300 containers (REBs) in their Scunthorpe facility. The model provided the GSM-R FTN project with the timely and safe deployment of the core telecoms equipment to the trackside.
Following the installation of the REB’s ADC is following on with commissioning them into the network, which makes perfect sense as no- one knows the REBs as well as the Alan Dick engineers.
Having operated as part of the Alan Dick Group
The company’s work on the design, integration, installation, and commissioning of GSM-R is just one example of its expertise within both fixed and wireless (RF) telecommunications. As well as the GSM-R program, Alan Dick Communications is increasingly involved in applying its expertise to the large signalling and synergy schemes across the UK rail network.
Pearce said: “We are constantly developing our offering and encourage our clients to get us engaged early in a project. Inevitably it means we can often see smarter ways to manage telecoms within
complex infrastructure
projects, and as such we can achieve a more efficient delivery.
“Since 2011 we have seen the client increasingly want to deal with all aspects of telecoms as one scope of work. To address this we have
since 2003, the company began trading as Alan Dick Communications when it came under new ownership at the end of 2011.
Jason Pearce, ADC managing director, said that what hasn’t changed are the strengths and capabilities that Alan Dick has honed over the years: “Telecoms is a rapidly changing market and there’s lots of equipment being deployed, upgraded and maintained.
“Getting this done successfully and with
minimum risk to the infrastructure comes down to having the best engineers who understand the product. Our key asset is our people, and the fact that they consistently deliver to the key customer needs of safety, time, quality and cost.”
widened our offering to offer more skills, such as RF design and planning, rapid deployment coverage solutions, operational telecoms and signalling schemes.
“It’s all helping to develop our position within the marketplace as a one-stop-shop for telecoms infrastructure solutions. But importantly it is also helping people understand the capability telecoms can bring.”
Just as investment is being made in the UK rail infrastructure, Alan Dick Communications also recognises the significant potential for upgrade of communications on the UK rolling stock, owned by the ROSCOs and operated by the train operating companies (TOCs).
With an eye on new growth areas, Alan Dick Communications is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Rail Order Ltd, a business well-established in the supply of consumable products, maintenance services, and engineering solutions to the TOCs, ROSCOs and train builders.
Combining Alan Dick Communications’ telecom and signalling system expertise with the excellent distribution and maintenance skillsets of the Rail Order business will enable us to offer a seamless solution as the rail network evolves towards ERTMS.
With forward-looking and strong delivery companies like Alan Dick Communications it looks like the investment in the UK rail industry is in good hands. Full steam ahead!
www.alandickcomms.com FOR MORE INFORMATION
rail technology magazine Apr/May 13 | 159
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