Andrew Wins Beijing Metro Wireless Deal

Beijing Metro has awarded Andrew Wireless Solutions the contract to supply and install wireless networking systems along six rail lines in and around the Chinese capital. The move follows several other deals that the US-owned company has signed in mainland China where it has is involved in nearly 30 metro rail projects in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities. No financial details were released.

According to Patrick Leung, managing director, Andrew Telecommunications in China, "Andrew will supply the equipment along with design and installation expertise to ensure that Beijing is ready for the millions of visitors, (expected for this summer's Olympics)."

As part of the contract, Andrew will deploy its RADIAX radiating cables and ION-M repeaters in the Beijing Metro to support private, public and security wireless usage. The Chinese authorities expects to have upwards of 6.4 million visitors in the city during the summer games and the Rail Authority is worried that sudden surge in mobile devices may put the wireless network under strain.

The US wireless company says it hopes to test the deployment by the beginning of April this year and Beijing Metro expects to activate the networks for passenger use by August when the Games begin.