5G coverage in Wienerwald Tunnel

The availability of modern infrastructure for mobile data and voice services is a basic requirement today. To improve mobile telecommunications coverage, EQOS Kommunikation converted the antenna system in the Wienerwald Tunnel on behalf of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, ensuring the provision of 5G coverage there in the future. Installations concerned the Lainzer and Wienerwald tunnels in the Tullnerfeld region, the switch hall, and the facilities for spun concrete and catenary masts.

During the three-week closure of the 31-kilometre tunnel chain, which was done for renovation work following flooding, 69 transmitters with a total of 180 antennas in the tunnel as well as panel antennas in the open field were converted on this route. In this short time, the EQOS Kommunikation team replaced all tunnel antennas, upgraded the antenna cabling from SISO to MIMO, dismantled the old repeaters, and installed 134 new mobile phone repeaters ready for operation. Two kilometres of high-frequency cable were also installed for this purpose.

The entire undertaking was a special project with the strictest requirements from the client. The experienced installation team of 21 from EQOS Kommunikation not only had the appropriate qualifications for working on the tracks and in tunnels, they also coordinated very well with other trades in confined spaces while maintaining the utmost precision. To ensure that everything ran smoothly, three site managers were working simultaneously at times. The complex circumstances also meant that the systems could only be shut down and replaced in sections so as not to jeopardise communication at the construction site and emergency communications via the mobile network.

Despite the tight schedule and the special circumstances, EQOS Kommunikation managed to complete the work in just three weeks. The antenna replacement, cabling extension, and installation of the repeaters as well as the switchover to the new devices were performed on schedule.