Responding to wireless communication demand
Expected to contribute to safe train operations
Targeting 51 stations and 66 train sets

LG Uplus announced on the 23rd that it has won a 30.4 billion won project for the Seoul Subway Line 2 and Line 5 railway integrated wireless communication network (hereinafter LTE-R).

LG Uplus expects that by upgrading and upgrading the aging train wireless systems of subway lines 2 and 5 to the LTE-R method, it will be able to meet the increasing demand for wireless communication from the Seoul Metropolitan Transit Corporation and contribute to the safe operation of trains.

LTE-R is an LTE-based wired and wireless railway communication system that provides railway-specific services, such as voice and video calls, data transmission, and emergency railway calls between train drivers, station staff, and control centers in the environment of fast-moving trains.

First, the establishment of an LTE-R-based train wireless communication system will enhance communication capabilities between trains and the control center. Previously, only voice communication was possible between the control center and the train driver, but in the future, video and various data transmission between the train and the ground will be possible, enabling remote monitoring of the train's status.

For example, in the event of an emergency such as a fire, photos and videos can be taken with a portable device and transmitted to the control center to quickly assess the situation at the scene and respond.

In addition, through IoT services capable of measuring temperature, humidity, and air quality, relevant staff can monitor the subway interior environment in real time and take immediate action, thereby maintaining a pleasant environment.

The scope of the project for Line 2 is a 60.2km section with 51 stations and 66 train sets. For Line 5, the scope of the project is the 52.3km main line excluding the Hanam Line, with 51 stations and 66 train sets, and includes 300 portable terminals.

The LTE-R deployment is scheduled to be completed on Line 2 in July 2019 and on Line 5 by the end of 2018. In addition, there are plans to build an interlocking system for perfect integration with the Public Safety LTE network.

LG Uplus anticipates that LTE-R will be used as essential communication infrastructure for the Korean-style wireless communication-based train control system (KRTCS) to be introduced in the future.

Gong Jun-il, Head of LG Uplus’s Corporate Business Division, stated, “This contract win is a recognition of our accumulated experience in building telecommunications infrastructure and operational know-how,” adding, “Going forward, we plan to focus not only on expanding LTE-R projects, including the Korea Railroad Corporation’s Gyeongbu Line, but also on the construction of disaster safety wireless communication networks.”