A TETRA radio communication system from Cassidian will be the core of a new Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) serving three provinces of Thailand.

The system is for the state-owned MEA (Metropolitan Electricity Authority), which recently signed a contract for the system in Bangkok with the telecommunication system integrator DRC (Digital Research and Consulting Company).

Replacing an old analogue radio system, the DTRS project will provide more secure communications for MEA. The new TETRA-based system will provide both voice and data services throughout MEA’s operating area in the provinces of Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakarn. It will include a PABX telephone interconnect and interfaces to MEA’s information technology system and other communication networks.

“This is a very important project for Cassidian as this is our first TETRA system to be deployed in Bangkok”, says Galvin Wong, chief executive for the Asia-Pacific region of Security & Communication Solutions at Cassidian.

“Cassidian is a leading TETRA supplier in the power utilities sector worldwide and we are keen on exploring more business opportunities in Thailand and APAC.”

Cassidian will supply one TETRA switch, 17 base stations, 13 dispatcher workstations, 500 TETRA handheld radios and 1250 TETRA mobile radios. Also to be delivered is a TETRA Connectivity Server, which will make it possible to integrate value-adding applications into the radio system. One of the first applications to be adopted will be automatic vehicle location.

“Drawing on more than 10 years of experience in telecom projects, we plan to complete the project with MEA ahead of schedule”, said Charn Kulthavarakorn, managing director of DRC.“With Cassidian’s co-operation, we are committing to an 18-month aggressive project timeframe.”