Huawei provides reliable networks for Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway

In a historic milestone for Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, affectionately known as the WHOOSH, has officially commenced operations. This revolutionary railway system, stretching 142.3 kilometres between the bustling capital city of Jakarta and the picturesque tourist destination of Bandung, promises to transform the region’s transportation landscape. Huawei, in collaboration with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom, has played a pivotal role in creating a dedicated railway network for the WHOOSH, setting the stage for a new era of high-speed rail travel in the region.
The WHOOSH is not just a transportation marvel; it’s a game-changer for Indonesia’s economic development. With the implementation of this high-speed railway, the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung has been slashed from 3.5 hours to a mere 40 minutes. This reduction in travel time is expected to boost economic development along the railway’s route, connecting major urban centres and fostering tourism and business growth.
One of the standout features of the WHOOSH is its maximum operating speed of 350 kilometres per hour, making it Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway. Furthermore, this project marks Indonesia’s introduction to China’s high-speed railway system, incorporating all aspects of the industry value chain outside of China’s borders. The WHOOSH represents a significant stride in China’s global high-speed railway strategy.
At the heart of this transformative project is the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3), a state-of-the-art train control system developed in China. Given the high-speed nature of the trains and their short departure intervals, the stability and reliability of a dedicated communications network are paramount for safe and efficient train operations. Huawei’s technological expertise has ensured the seamless operation of this critical system.
According to Lai Chaosen, Vice President of Huawei Indonesia, the WHOOSH’s train-to-ground wireless network is underpinned by Huawei’s mature solution, featuring interleaving for continuous coverage. With an impressive uptime of up to 99.99%, this network guarantees the stable transmission of train control signals and intelligent coordination of train numbers and function numbers.
The data network, a cornerstone of the WHOOSH’s operations, relies on Huawei’s next-generation data communications equipment, providing an impenetrable secure network through native hard pipes. Each link in the network is fortified with redundancy, allowing for a swift switchover within a mere 35 milliseconds.
Furthermore, the transmission network leverages Huawei’s Hybrid MSTP equipment, boasting the extensive bandwidth and high stability required for over 20 high-speed train systems. This network facilitates critical functions such as scheduling and command, disaster prevention, video surveillance, passenger ticketing, and power telecontrol systems. Importantly, it’s future-proofed to accommodate the evolving needs of upcoming railway services.
Liu Jieping, CRSC’s Deputy Chief Engineer of the Jakarta-Bandung Project, emphasizes that the launch of the WHOOSH embodies China’s high-speed railway “going global” strategy. Huawei’s contribution in crafting a high-quality dedicated communications network has provided the necessary support for the safe and efficient operation of the high-speed train system.
Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, particularly Huawei and CRSC, for their role in providing the technological solutions and railway infrastructure critical to the WHOOSH’s success. She also highlighted the potential for the WHOOSH to serve as a benchmark for similar high-speed rail projects in Indonesia and throughout ASEAN countries.