Global System for Mobile Communications for Railway (GSM-R), the first of its kind in China, will be launched on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to help solve the communications problems at high altitudes.

A representative from Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company says that the new GSM-R is a comprehensive digital mobile communications system designed for railway communications. It is based on GSM and can serve as a platform for train controlling and information sharing among the railway departments.

Aside from voice transmission, GSM-R features data transmission, and real-time transmission can be realized through it to control the operation of the trains and ensure their safety.

Since much consideration has been given to the special environment on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in designing this system, it is also designed to be durable and energy-efficient.