VicTrack has completed a major project to migrate essential V/Line and Yarra Trams communications services to Telstra 4G, ahead of the shutdown of the 3G network.
This project is critical as the Regional Rail Communications Network (RRCN), which allows V/Line train controller to train driver radio communications, had relied on Telstra 3G technology as its primary means of radio communication.
Since Telstra’s 2019 announcement that it would decommission its 3G services, VicTrack has worked closely with V/Line to successfully migrate all affected services to the 4G network.
“This project will ensure V/Line services can continue to run as scheduled following the shutdown of the 3G network later this year” explained Ashish Samadhia, Senior Service Delivery Specialist with the Telecommunications Group who lead the project.
“It is critical for train drivers to communicate with the control centre so the migration to 4G will ensure trains can continue to operate across the V/Line network once the 3G network is switched off.”
The four-year program to upgrade equipment to the 4G network began in 2020, with testing of the new 4G sim cards for the In-Cab Communication Equipment (ICE) units. Over the past four years VicTrack has changed 3G sim cards and hardware to 4G cards, worked with Telstra to remove any identified coverage issues and migrated services.
VicTrack planned migration to coincide with scheduled maintenance of each train and maintenance vehicle, removing the existing 3G technology and replacing it with the new 4G technology. By upgrading technology while trains weren’t in service, we were able to mitigate any disruption to V/Line services.
In addition to V/Line, several tourist and heritage rail operators were impacted by the 3G network shutdown. Heritage locomotives operated by Steamrail Victoria and DERMPAV use the RRCN communication network and needed 4G equipment installed to ensure they could continue to operate services safely. These upgrades were provided by VicTrack as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the tourist and heritage sector.
VicTrack has also migrated 3G services to the 4G network on a managed service for Yarra Trams known as SCADA. The service monitors Yarra Trams substations.
“If the primary fibre goes down, the backup is over 3G; if the 3G shuts down there is no backup and you lose the monitoring of power stations, which again is a critical failure,” Ashish explained.
“If you don’t monitor power stations, you’re not able to know if those power stations are functioning as they are supposed to. So, upgrading SCADA to 4G was essential.”
VicTrack developed a new 4G solution for Yarra Trams and installed new hardware.
The work started in September 2023 and was completed in April 2024. No service outage was taken as VicTrack crews worked within maintenance schedules by providing temporary power/ hardware using a vehicle to change over equipment.
As part of the migration project, we also changed over around 1,100 SIMs operated by end users that connected to important services including public information displays and alerts at level crossings.
VicTrack has completed a major project to migrate essential V/Line and Yarra Trams communications services to Telstra 4G, ahead of the shutdown of the 3G network.
This project is critical as the Regional Rail Communications Network (RRCN), which allows V/Line train controller to train driver radio communications, had relied on Telstra 3G technology as its primary means of radio communication.
Since Telstra’s 2019 announcement that it would decommission its 3G services, VicTrack has worked closely with V/Line to successfully migrate all affected services to the 4G network.
“This project will ensure V/Line services can continue to run as scheduled following the shutdown of the 3G network later this year” explained Ashish Samadhia, Senior Service Delivery Specialist with the Telecommunications Group who lead the project.
“It is critical for train drivers to communicate with the control centre so the migration to 4G will ensure trains can continue to operate across the V/Line network once the 3G network is switched off.”
The four-year program to upgrade equipment to the 4G network began in 2020, with testing of the new 4G sim cards for the In-Cab Communication Equipment (ICE) units. Over the past four years VicTrack has changed 3G sim cards and hardware to 4G cards, worked with Telstra to remove any identified coverage issues and migrated services.
VicTrack planned migration to coincide with scheduled maintenance of each train and maintenance vehicle, removing the existing 3G technology and replacing it with the new 4G technology. By upgrading technology while trains weren’t in service, we were able to mitigate any disruption to V/Line services.
In addition to V/Line, several tourist and heritage rail operators were impacted by the 3G network shutdown. Heritage locomotives operated by Steamrail Victoria and DERMPAV use the RRCN communication network and needed 4G equipment installed to ensure they could continue to operate services safely. These upgrades were provided by VicTrack as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the tourist and heritage sector.
VicTrack has also migrated 3G services to the 4G network on a managed service for Yarra Trams known as SCADA. The service monitors Yarra Trams substations.
“If the primary fibre goes down, the backup is over 3G; if the 3G shuts down there is no backup and you lose the monitoring of power stations, which again is a critical failure,” Ashish explained.
“If you don’t monitor power stations, you’re not able to know if those power stations are functioning as they are supposed to. So, upgrading SCADA to 4G was essential.”
VicTrack developed a new 4G solution for Yarra Trams and installed new hardware.
The work started in September 2023 and was completed in April 2024. No service outage was taken as VicTrack crews worked within maintenance schedules by providing temporary power/ hardware using a vehicle to change over equipment.
As part of the migration project, we also changed over around 1,100 SIMs operated by end users that connected to important services including public information displays and alerts at level crossings.
