GSM-R coverage question

[spark001uk]

Question (not speculation), is gsm-r total coverage, or does it have blackspots like public networks?

 

[james_the_xv]

Question (not speculation), is gsm-r total coverage, or does it have blackspots like public networks?

As far as i'm aware, only lines not to have GSM-R coverage are the lines in Scotland with RETB. You'd think there wouldn't be any blind spots in the GSM-R network as it would defeat the point a little.

 

[najaB]

Question (not speculation), is gsm-r total coverage, or does it have blackspots like public networks?

Without wanting to speculate too much, the coverage would be 100% on the railway but blackspots may well exist outside the railway boundary.

 

[Coach Carter]

As far as i'm aware, only lines not to have GSM-R coverage are the lines in Scotland with RTEB. You'd think there wouldn't be any blind spots in the GSM-R network as it would defeat the point a little.

GSM-R can and does drop out at times in certain locations.

 

[High Dyke]

Question (not speculation), is gsm-r total coverage, or does it have blackspots like public networks?

To answer the question. It should be total coverage, but I'm aware of locations that don't receive coverage directly:; the signal boxes either side receive their calls.(A - B - C) are three boxes in a line of route where ' B' should receive the call, but it only goes to 'A' and 'C'.

 

[swt_passenger]

IIRC from earlier discussions, GSM(R) coverage is far more directional than the general system, the masts are generally next to the railway and have back to back aerials with beams pointing along the line in either direction. Then there are extra low power aerials in cuttings and tunnels to fill in coverage gaps.

But in the situation that I suspect led to this question, if the rail vehicles are badly damaged or overturned then the trains radios and/or aerials may not work anyway.

 

[Neptune]

There’s the odd blackspot (Ardsley Tunnel springs to mind) but overall it is excellent. I can make a call to control anywhere on the S&C without any problems whereas the NRN was mostly useless.

 

[jamesst]

On my network theres one spot where it just wont connect to anyone and a couple where you're more than likely to get through to the wrong signaller. Apart from that its pretty spot on.