Banverket is leveraging the newest release of Alcatel-Lucent’s Service Aggregation Router to efficiently and securely move its communications traffic, including signaling traffic for the trains, onto a converged IP/MPLS backbone, which will be easier and more cost effective to manage than the multiple networks the system now uses.  The network is in operation now and is expected to be completed by 2011.

Expanding its existing Alcatel-Lucent-powered IP/MPLS network, which was awarded in December 2007, this new functionality includes an end-to-end Synchronous Ethernet capability that enables Banverket to ensure that its data - including its mission-critical GSM-R (Group System Mobile-Rail) and signaling traffic - is seamlessly and securely communicated.

“The ability to progressively and efficiently migrate all traffic from several legacy data and voice networks to a single, more efficient network will help us offer the citizens of Sweden an even more efficient and safe railroad network,” said Bengt Vidin, deputy head of operations for Banverket. “The performance of the Alcatel-Lucent Service Aggregation Router exceeded our expectations for robust and accurate Ethernet synchronization, which is essential for all of our safety critical network communications.”

The broadband network is at the heart of Banverket’s efforts to ensure safe, efficient rail transportation throughout Sweden, as this network is critical to controlling the direction and speed of trains. Critical signaling information is communicated across the network ensuring the safety of passengers and resources. Meeting the stringent synchronization and time requirements is crucial to the reliable operation of rail traffic in Sweden.

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