Comba Telecom Builds Wireless Network for Hong Kong’s Newly Opened MTR South Island Line (East)


Passengers on the latest commuter rail line assured of seamless wireless experience with the deployment of awarding winning ComFlex DAS solution

 

(28 March 2017 – Hong Kong) – Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (“Comba Telecom” or “the Group,” Hong Kong stock code: 2342), a global leading wireless solutions provider, announced the successful deployment of its distributed antenna system (DAS) that provides the MTR South Island Line (East) passengers with ubiquitous mobile communications services. The wireless system has been fully operational since the MTR line commenced services on December 28, 2016. Comba Telecom and SmarTone, the leading telecommunications operator in Hong Kong, collaborated on a full turnkey solution ranging from technology design, supply management, installation, commissioning, optimization, to system maintenance.

 

Most rail systems – such as high-speed trains and subway systems – have inherent technical barriers to onboarding mobile phone connections. Without telecommunications equipment installed along the rail line, passengers are unable to make calls or access the internet. Systems such as the one deployed and installed by Comba Telecom enable passengers to use their mobile phones seamlessly throughout their whole trip along the MTR South Island Line (East), with consistent user experience while travelling on the train or outside the train station.

 

Mr. Simon Yeung, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Comba Telecom and President of Comba Telecom International, said, “We’re incredibly proud of how we have contributed to the commencement of a major Hong Kong transportation route that will benefit thousands of people every day for years to come.”

 

Comba Telecom creatively overcame several deployment challenges along the MTR South Island Line (East). The two companies faced a complicated site environment and a tight installation schedule, especially at Admiralty station, a busy commuter transfer point in the heart of Hong Kong. Comba addressed these challenges through its award-winning DAS solution ComFlex, paired with a custom Digital Cellular System (DCS) solution, including an optical repeater and combiner.

 

The ComFlex DAS is an important building block for commercial public mobile telecommunication networks and private mobile networks. As a market leading solution, the ComFlex system is the most flexible active DAS offering because it is able to support multiple operators and multiple technologies (2G, 3G and 4G) on all commonly deployed EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) bands in the global market, (700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, 2600MHz).

 

In recognition of Comba Telecom’s achievements with ComFlex, the group recently won the 2016 Technological Achievement Grand Award at the Hong Kong Awards for Industries, standing out among its peers for innovation and technical excellence. Comba has notably deployed DAS around the world at international airports, major sports stadiums and high-rise buildings.

Radio unit installation inside the MTR tunnel

 

Laying leaky feeder cable (LCX) inside the MTR tunnel

 

Modular Unit used on the MTR South Island Line (East)