Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 07 | Page 17

Orange Polska develops IoT and invites companies to cooperate Poland’s national railway relies on Thales for modernisation I n Warsaw, Gliwice, Mysłowice and Tarnów, a pilot was launched for the commercial use of LTE-M technology, allowing to build the Internet of Things (IoT) based on the 4G network. The tests will enable the participating companies to develop their services and devices, and Orange Polska will analyse the new solution in real business conditions. At the same time, the operator invites companies to cooperate, including start-ups interested in providing innovative IoT solutions. Acceptance of applications is due to begin in the near future. The most interesting proposals will gain access to the unique capabilities of the Orange network. LTE-M is one of the leading data transmission technologies for the mass use of Internet of Things devices, selected by the Orange Group for commercial implementation. This solution, operating on the basis of the 4G network, in the scope of IoT meets all the requirements set for the 5G network. LTE-M allows you to handle a very large number of devices within a single base station, ensures minimum power consumption, translating into a longer device life and allows you to contact devices in difficult conditions – basements, wells etc. Moreover, LTE-M supports full mobility of the devices used, allowing, among others for their roaming services, real-time monitoring and even the use of voice transmission via VoLTE. Compared with other IoT technologies, it has more development potential. “We are opening a new market for Orange Polska, which may turn out to be very profitable in the coming years. We improve and develop our network to meet dynamic technological changes and growing customer requirements,” said Maciej Zengel, Director of Network Strategy and Mobile Infrastructure at Orange Polska. www.intelligentcio.com T he Polish national infrastructure manager Polskie Linie Kolejowe is embarking on a massive modernisation programme encompassing the nation’s rail infrastructure. The project focuses on ensuring that more trains can travel through the network safely and at higher speeds thanks to the implementation of cutting edge technology. In January 2018, the operator announced that Thales has been selected to help it in this ambition. The group was awarded two contracts, one for line E20 Kunowice-Terespol (crossing Poland from Germany to Belarus borders and excluding the Warsaw node) and the other for line E30 Kraków- Rzeszów (Southern Poland). After completion, these programmes, with a total value of €182 million (773.3 million Polish zloty), will ensure trains will be able to reach speeds of 160 kph. Due to the improvements to both lines, trains will travel in total safety, even taking the increased speeds into account. Thales will design and deliver the signalling and railway traffic control systems, including the implementation of Level 2 ERTMS/ETCS (European Rail Traffic Management System / European Train Control System). The development of line E20 will cover 650 km and include 25 stations and five local control centres (Mi ń sk Mazowiecki, Błonie, Opalenica, Zb ą szynek, Rzepin). In the case of E30, the development will cover 135 km, including 16 stations and two local control centres (Tarnów and Rzeszów). ERTMS/ETCS is a signalling system designed to limit the number of incidents and ensure that a greater number of trains can be managed safely. It therefore provides a net benefit to Poland in terms of passengers and freight capacities, especially on routes between Western and Eastern Europe. INTELLIGENTCIO 17