Case Study: Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link achieves reliable high-speed GSM-R rail operations with Huawei

Huawei Builds China’s First GSM-R Network

Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) needed a reliable rail communications network for China’s first GSM-R rail line, operating across 58 bridges, 34 tunnels, extensive viaducts, and an underwater tunnel while meeting strict ETCS-2 and CTCS-3 standards. Huawei provided the GSM-R solution for the Hong Kong section of the line to address wireless interference and interoperability challenges across multiple vendors.

Huawei implemented a customized GSM-R network with interoperability testing in its Suzhou Open Lab, dedicated interference scanning and site surveys, and scenario-based network design and optimization. The result was improved coverage, quality, and reliability for high-speed rail operations, enabling trains to carry 99,000 passengers per day and travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou in 48 minutes since 2016, while delivering major economic benefits for MTR and the wider region.