Digital two-way system for Turkish airport services

Orgen, a distributor of Kenwood radio communications systems in Turkey, has recently completed the first phase of building the largest digital radio communication system in the country, using NEXEDGE products.

The client, Turkish Ground Services (TGS), was formed on 1 January 2010, in partnership with Turkish Airlines and HAVAS, and currently operates in six of the busiest airports in Turkey: Atatürk and Sabiha Gokcen (both in Istanbul), Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Adana.

Employing more than 3000 pieces of equipment and 6000 employees, it provides all ground services operations to international quality standards. Understanding the background of the Turkish aviation industry was a key component in building the business case for Orgen’s proposed solution.

The main problems identified with the existing fifty-year-old infrastructure - in an industry where continuous communication by voice and data is vital - were: that it was analog only; a lack of advanced functions; insufficient number of channels; low coverage; poor voice quality; zero in-built redundancy.

Orgen undertook a comprehensive study to establish the core needs of TGS and, following an extensive review of the existing system and infrastructure, presented the NEXEDGE digital two-way radio system as the best solution. The challenge was to prove the cost effectiveness, as well as immediate and longer-term benefits in efficiency, of investment in a new digital infrastructure.

Orgen was awarded the project as the technology had 100% coverage, extended capabilities and scalability. TGS, as a relatively new enterprise, was keen to embrace the operational benefits of an up-to-date digital system supported by a reputable supplier.