China's high speed railway from Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan will include a wireless network for all passengers to use, thanks to coverage and capacity solutions from Andrew, a division of CommScope.

"Andrew's localized manufacturing in China, as well as its specialized testing environment that mimics a railway tunnel, is a major advantage in serving our customers in this market," said Ben Cardwell, vice president of sales and marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. "As China continues rapidly constructing and expanding its urban rail transportation networks, Andrew hopes to assist by supporting communication networks across the country."

Andrew will supply its Radiax radiating cables to support wireless services for passengers as they travel through the railway's tunnels enjoying phone, text messaging, and other services. Andrew's coverage and capacity solution will also support a GSM-R network to enable fully interoperable communications among railway employees and emergency personnel. Andrew's Radiax cables are manufactured entirely in the company's Suzhou factory, where outdoor and indoor cable test lines that simulate tunnel conditions are located.

This particular line of railway has a total length of almost 29 kilometers. In its initial stage of operation, the line will transport all passengers and some freight traffic between Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan. Expected to open in 2009 is the high speed railway line, which will only support passenger traffic with its double-track, completely enclosed design. Train speeds are expected to reach up to 250 kilometers per hour. Upon completion of the railway, travel time to Shijiazhuang from Taiyuan will be reduced to about one hour from the more than five hours it currently takes.