Cellphones now work better at Sydney Airport

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 04 September 2007 00:03

Business IT - Networking

No matter what network you are on you'll enjoy better cellphone coverage at Sydney Airport thanks to number of new in-building base stations installed by Kordia.

Kordia was selected by Vodafone Australia to design an in-building 2G & 3G WCDMA wireless network at the Sydney Airport that will be shared by all carriers. It supports all technologies and frequencies used in Australia (except the soon to shut down CDMA): including Telstra's Next G network which operates at 850MHz.

Kordia says it "presented a clever design using the existing airport backbone infrastructure combined with LGC Wireless' Unison active and passive technology...[that] produced a cost-effective yet robust solution capable of combining technologies at 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz, satisfying the requirements of all carriers operating off the system."

According to Kordia, the project was highly complex. "Agreement needed to be sought from all carriers on the required technologies and detailed design. Then, the coverage had to be built within a condensed two-month timeframe to meet Vodafone's requirements for the APEC Summit. Due to the enormous security complexity, build could only take place between 10pm and 6am each night, while ensuring zero impact on existing network services."

So far Kordia has completed only first phase of the project, covering all major public areas at the airport. The remaining areas are due for completion in October.

"This is a major project win for Kordia and reflects strong customer confidence in our Specialised Coverage Solutions team, which has expanded its applications from stadiums and shopping centres and now to airports," said Kordia's managing director, Peter Robson.