A TETRA system has been chosen by one of Germany’s largest open-cast mining companies to replace its existing analogue radios.

MIBRAG (Mitteldeutsche Braunkohlengesellschaft mbH), a major producer of lignite (brown coal), employs around 2000 people and operates two large open-cast mines, in the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. From these two sites it produces some 19 million tonnes of lignite annually, most of it destined for the nearby Lippendorf and Schkopau power stations.

In upgrading to a modern digital radio system, MIBRAG wanted to ensure that all critical communications could be reliably received. It also wanted to optimize its operations and business processes.

For the upgrade, the company has bought TETRA infrastructure from Selex Communications plus a fleet of 430 handportables and 230 mobiles from Sepura. Both types are equipped with Sepura’s highly sensitive GPS feature.
“The move to TETRA is an important forwards step for MIBRAG and will help us to further modernize our business processes”, commented Frank Possehl, MIBRAG’s project manager for the radio upgrade.