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INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT: KAPSCH CARRIERCOM
“We will not rest when it comes
to developing new technology”
With a market share of 52% of the GSM-R global market, measured in kilometers
of railway tracks covered by GSM-R railway infrastructure, Kapsch CarrierCom is
the number one supplier worldwide. In an interview for European Railway
Review, Kapsch CarrierCom’s Vice President of GSM-R, Michel Clement, tells us
what railway operators are benefiting from Kapsch’s expertise and how the
company will ensure they remain the global market leader.
focus – we are open for contracts in all regions of
the world. The GSM-R business is among the
most future-oriented sectors. Several tenders,
for example in Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Israel,
Portugal and Spain have already been started or
are in the pipeline. Kapsch CarrierCom will take
part in those tenders and is ready to prove
Kapsch CarrierCom has longstanding
experience in the railway marketplace.
What projects would you say have been
the most important for not only Kapsch
CarrierCom as a business, but for the
railway industry?
its number one position in GSM-R, not only in
total numbers of tracks equipped, but also
in terms of reliability and quality of our services.
We are very glad that, for example, the largest
important stakeholder groups in the best way
What is Kapsch CarrierCom’s vision for the
future and how will the company ensure it
remains the global market leader?
railway operators such as in Germany, France,
possible. We are in direct contact with our
While GSM-R is set to remain Kapsch’s primary
the United Kingdom or Algeria, rely on Kapsch
customers frequently anyway, but it is really
focus, we will not rest when it comes to
CarrierCom’s expertise due to our extensive
important for us to use platforms, where we can
developing new technology. Kapsch will
experience. It is our goal to handle all our clients
discuss current GSM-R topics with our
continue to develop and enhance GSM-R
equally – on the highest possible level.
stakeholders in a broader context. Our goal is to
technology in the future, and this includes future
Therefore, we see all of our contracts as equally
permanently improve our service according
radio technologies when they become available
important for us. But to give some examples:
to our customers’ needs – selected international
and applicable to railway needs, whatever they
Kapsch is the sole supplier of GSM-R to French
industry showplaces focusing on railway
will be. As the number one GSM-R supplier
Rail Network (RFF) and Britain as the selected
technology help us with this target. Our
worldwide, Kapsch CarrierCom is playing a key
partner of Network Rail. Kapsch also has a 90%
modern and innovative exhibition spaces
role in driving the evolution of the GSM-R
market share of German Rail’s (DB) GSM-R
normally give an excellent impression of the
technology and as such is a key contributor to
contracts, which is the largest GSM-R network in
latest Kapsch CarrierCom solutions and
the standardisation group EIRENE. Kapsch is also
the world. Recently, the Polish railway PKP/PLK
references. Traditionally, we highlight not only
driving the development of operational
signed a major contract with Kapsch
solutions, but also concrete success stories from
applications through e.g. ETSI TC-RT, GSM-R IG,
CarrierCom. Therefore, we are at the moment in
some of the largest GSM-R railway operators in
UIC and ERA. For GSM-R, in addition to the
the middle of the deployment of the digital train
selected markets.
further development of core and access
solutions, the emphasis will be on applications.
radio system for the Polish railways – the third
largest rail network in Europe.
Kapsch CarrierCom has recently exhibited
at industry trade shows around the world.
How important is it for Kapsch CarrierCom
to attend these exhibitions and what can
visitors expect to see/learn from visiting
your company stands?
Over recent months, Kapsch CarrierCom has
won contracts in Poland, Spain, Austria and
the UK. But what other countries/regions
is the company keen to expand into?
focused on Central and Southeastern Europe, is
now one of the key players in the international
GSM-R market. As of yet, the company was
active in nine Central and Eastern European
comes
participations.
countries, but now Kapsch CarrierCom has
Traditionally, we just chose those events where
subsidiaries and/or offices in 23 countries
we have the possibility to interact with our most
worldwide. This shows our now global business
trade
show
solutions to the broad railway customer base.
This will lead to a further expansion of our global
GSM-R market leadership.
Kapsch CarrierCom, previously regionally
Kapsch CarrierCom is very selective when it
to
These applications will be offered as end-to-end
Michel Clement has been
President
of
Kapsch
CarrierCom France and Vice
President of GSM-R Global
since April 2010. From 1998 to
March 2010, Mr. Clement held
many positions within Nortel,
finishing as President of South Europe, Middle
East & Africa.
European Railway Review
www.europeanrailwayreview.com
Volume 17, Issue 3, 2011
13