As a result of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will establish a laboratory at Adif's Railways Technology Centre in Malaga to investigate improvements to railway communications. These include the application of fourth-generation Long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband technology to standardise and improve communication across the railway, testing of GSM-R over a single converged IP-MPLS network to increase network security and service capability, and the application of integrated multimedia solutions to improve passenger communications.
The framework agreement also covers the submission of joint research and development proposals for European and domestic grant opportunities, the development of innovative scientific projects, creation of working groups to develop and follow up scientific findings, and joint cooperation in training programmes.
"This partnership helps both Adif and Alcatel-Lucent to accelerate the design, testing and deployment of these new technologies and benefit the global rail community," says Mr Federico Guilén, president of Alcatel-Lucent Iberia.
Adif is currently working on 48 research and development projects at the Malaga site as part of a total Euros 118m investment. In addition, the infrastructure manager has collaborative agreements with over 100 Spanish companies, 24 technology centres and 26 universities.
