22.06.20
HS2 searching for operational telecoms supplier
Today (June 22nd) HS2 have begun looking for an expert contractor to deliver 230km of revolutionary telecommunications systems which will link up to the UK’s new high-speed rail route between London, Birmingham and the north of England.
The contract winner, will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, installation, safety authorization, testing, commissioning and initial maintenance of the operational telecommunications systems and the route wide security systems on Phase One and 2a, between London and Crewe.
The contract is worth £300m and the scope of the work includes 2,769km of fibre optic cabling, 140 trackside cabinets, dozens of equipment cabins and radio coverage across 230km, including:
- Tunnel radio system
- Data transmission network
- Operational telephony system
- GSM-R radio network, including base transmission stations, antenna, etc.
- Route wide security systems
- Relocatable equipment buildings
- Passive provision for Airwave
The winning bidder will also be responsible for delivering a separate contract for the provision for technical support services.
The start of the formal procurement process for this third set of ‘rail systems’ contracts follows on from the new launch of the contests for track systems and command and control systems and the government’s go ahead for the start of civils work, including tunnels, bridges and viaducts.
David Poole, HS2 Ltd’s Procurement and Commercial Director: “HS2’s operational telecoms systems will be the railway’s communications backbone, linking up the men and women who will run the railway and stretching across 230km of bridges, tunnels, stations, depots and other facilities. It will play a vital role in keeping everyone safe and ensuring we can deliver fast, reliable and frequent services.
“I look forward to our team working with the suppliers who come forward and together ensuring that we deliver best quality and value for the project.”