Another major mobile radio user in North America has undertaken testing of a TETRA digital radio system, following the relaxation of US regulations which formerly excluded the European standard from the large North American market.

The two-site pilot system was operated by MTA New York City Transit (NYCT), the US’s largest public transport operator, in collaboration with PowerTrunk, the North American offshoot of the Spanish mobile radio manufacturer Teltronic, enabling NYCT to evaluate the TETRA system independently. 

The pilot demonstrated the multiple features and functionality of TETRA technology using a range of radio equipment from PowerTrunk, including a telecom switch, base stations, mobile units for buses and support vehicles, handportables, a dispatcher station with two operator positions and a gateway to the telephone network to test cell and PABX/PSTN handovers.

‘TETRA has arrived’

PowerTrunk reports that the NYCT trial revealed advantages for the user in radio efficiency and capacity, equipment size and capabilities, in network management, in cost savings and other factors.

“Our TETRA land mobile radio solution is uniquely suited for transportation systems as proven by the networks we have installed in such major cities as Mexico City, Barcelona, Bogotá and Rio”, said José Martín, executive vide-president and chief operating officer of PowerTrunk. “Now we are proud that such a prominent metropolis as New York City hosted our TETRA pilot for its transit system. I would like to say to American LMR users that TETRA has arrived in the US.”

• MTA New York City Transit’s bus fleet numbers over 5900 vehicles and carries an average of 2·69 million users each weekday on more than 280 local and express routes. Its subway network has 660 miles of track.