Constructed in 1987, the Liefkenshoek tunnel, like the Waasland and Kennedy tunnels, is an indispensable link in the infrastructure of Antwerp. It is a toll tunnel and the enormous volumes of passenger and cargo traffic at the toll facility place high demands on the communication equipment in terms of audio quality and excellence of clarity.
As Dimitri Smet, maintenance manager of the Liefkenshoek tunnel, states: “Before we came into contact with Flash Private Mobile Networks, we conducted extensive testing with different telephone devices, as well as DECT, but clarity still proved lacking. Flash advised us to use TETRA two-way radios with speaker-microphones and specially modified earpieces. That proved to be the right solution for us.”
Guaranteed coverage
The maintenance service workers use the two-way radios both inside and outside the tunnel tubes of the Liefkenshoek tunnel. To provide indoor coverage in both tubes, the TETRA system is linked into the existing radius cables, guaranteeing coverage. This is extremely important to worker safety. In addition, the TETRA system is linked to the Liefkenshoek tunnel’s PABX telephone exchange, so workers can also easily communicate within the organisation.
Smet continues: “We are not only extremely satisfied with the TETRA solution, but also with how Flash took a constructive approach with us and offered solutions. Flash not only put a system and the necessary links in place, but also introduced improvements to our current technical infrastructure. In short, they relieved us of all of our communication concerns.”