RADIODATA completes new DMR system for Stadtwerke Bielefeld

It includes mobile and portable terminals for a blackout-proof voice communication system for the Stadtwerke Bielefeld GmbH, located in the State of North Rhine Westphalia in Germany.

“Whether securing communication with our field service organization during emergencies or improving our operational efficiency in daily operations, we were looking for a flexible and reliable radio system to ensure communication throughout our service area.” describes Joachim Licht, Project Leader at Stadtwerke Bielefeld, the task. “Particular emphasis was placed on obtaining a flexible system, which technically offers margin to grow for services we intend to use in the future. It was important, that not only today ́s requirements for variable call modes, such as individual, group, emergency and broadcast calls are available. We were also looking for a solution with roaming, connectivity to our PABX system and encryption of the air interface, as well as data modes such as text and status to be used in the future.” adds Mr. Licht. System requirements and specifications were defined as a team effort. Stadtwerke employees of Network Operations, Vehicle Fleet Service, Power Station, the Telecommunications Service Provider BITel, IT Services and other departments participated and supported the project from concept to final acceptance.

“RADIODATA is proud to provide evidence for the flexibility and capabilities of its DIPRA® radio technology.” says Winfried Schultz, Head of Sales and Marketing at RADIODATA. The Stadtwerke are not only using the new Dispatcher Stations with GPS localization in case of an emergency call. They are also using the AES 256 encryption of voice payload on the air interface as well as encrypted IP connections between switch and base stations.

The system comprises single and dual carrier stations for enhanced capacity in selected areas with higher traffic volume. The mobile stations MS2221D allow duplex calls, like in any standard telephony system, in all radio cells. The DECT Gateway enables field crews to leave their cars or trucks and still be able to communicate in the vicinity of the vehicle avoiding time consuming commutes back and forth. Using mobile stations allowed the Stadtwerke employing a smaller number of base stations in a challenging topography. Additionally, portable radios are used in selected areas.

“Besides DIPRA® offering a wealth of technical options, RADIODATA convinced us as a reliable and technically competent partner throughout the project. It was important for us to have a local company, which on the one side speaks our language technologically and on the other side offers a design and development department nearby willing to lend us their ear when we needed it. Such systems have an expected life of 10-15 years. So, it was an important factor to not only chose a technology with margin to grow, but also working with a partner who responds flexibly and quick.” summarizes Joachim Licht of the Stadtwerke Bielefeld.

The DIPRA® radio system was extensively tested, accepted by the customer at the end of June and went live in operations thereafter. RADIODATA will continue to service the system at Level III and has trained Stadtwerke personnel to perform Level I and II services.

“A DIPRA® system is like a flexible, owned and controlled mobile telephony network. The adaptation to meet customer requirements with respect to function, coverage and availability is best achieved when users and technical operations work hand in hand. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the project team at Stadtwerke Bielefeld. The close cooperation and the engagement throughout the team was instrumental in this project.” closes Winfried Schultz of RADIODATA.