Spanish railway body ADIF has awarded German IoT technology company Kontron a €20m contract to install and maintain GSM-R equipment.

Kontron Transportation Spain has been selected by ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias) to implement GSM-R (GSM for railways) coverage on the Medina del Campo to Orense conventional line.

The project encompasses deployment and a four-year maintenance period. It is among the largest recently awarded projects for GSM-R deployment by ADIF. The 338km long Medina del Campo to Orense line is providing medium-distance passenger services and freight traffic.

ADIF (www.adif.es), the public entity responsible for managing and maintaining Spain’s railway network – one of the largest in Europe – plays a crucial role in its development and modernisation. This project reinforces the commitment of ADIF and Kontron to enhancing railway infrastructure, delivering high-quality services and strengthening their collaboration.

The main benefits of this project are enhanced railway services, increased safety and a positive environmental impact. The infrastructure will be modernised and optimised, contributing to the improvement of the railway service and increasing the frequency of commercial traffic.

The GSM-R technology is important for increasing safety in railway operations as it enables clear and fast communication in critical situations. By optimising train operations and reducing delays, the GSM-R system will contribute to a more efficient use of energy, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. More efficient train operations are in line with ADIF’s sustainability goals.

“We are committed to delivering excellence in railway communications and look forward to the successful execution of this project in collaboration with ADIF, reinforcing our dedication to the Spanish market,” said Richard Neussl, managing director of Kontron Transportation.

Kontron (www.kontron.com) is an IoT technology company. With the acquisition of Katek in early 2024, Kontron strengthened its portfolio with the new green-tec division, focusing on solar energy and e-mobility. It has around 7000 employees in over 20 countries worldwide.

Its subsidiary Kontron Transportation (www.kontron.com/ktrdn) is a supplier of end-to-end communications for mission-critical networks. The core customer segment is railways throughout Europe and beyond. The focus is on systems that produce, transport and process voice, data and video information reliably, securely, efficiently and sustainably. This includes GSM-Railways, FRMCS (future railway mobile communication system), MCx (mission-critical over public networks) and IWF (interworking functions), enhanced radio options and radio access networks, transmission networks, private cloud platforms, and cyber-security concepts. This portfolio also offers selected communication products to utilities and enterprises. In addition, mobility products such as validators and fare collection systems are provided to public transport operators.