The city-state’s Land Transport Authority has deployed advanced Nokia fibre-optic and IP/MPLS technology
Singapore’s critical railway network has undergone a substantial technological overhaul designed to significantly enhance public safety and surveillance capabilities. The Land Transport Authority (LTA), responsible for the city-state’s transport infrastructure, has completed a major project to upgrade its video surveillance system, deploying sophisticated Nokia Optical LAN and IP/MPLS solutions in collaboration with Hitachi Rail.
The multi-station upgrade, covering over 50 train stations nationwide, is a decisive move to modernise the backbone of the LTA’s security apparatus. The CCTV camera network is indispensable for real-time monitoring, identifying illegal activity, and managing passenger traffic flow across one of the world’s most heavily utilised transit systems.
To cope with the inevitable rise in data traffic and the demand for high-resolution video streaming, the LTA chose to replace traditional infrastructure with Nokia’s fibre Optical LAN. This involves deploying hardened Optical Network Units (ONUs) and future-proof Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) capable of supporting blistering speeds of up to 25Gb/s.
The move is not just about speed; it also represents a significant gain in efficiency. Optical LAN is notably more sustainable, requiring up to 70 per cent less cabling and consuming 40 per cent less power compared to older copper-based networks, positioning Singapore’s rail infrastructure as a leader in future-ready transit solutions.
The project’s IP/MPLS deployment further refines operations, allowing the LTA to efficiently backhaul vast amounts of network data to its Operations Control Centre. This centralised hub is where live video streams are continuously monitored and securely stored, guaranteeing the network can support current security needs while facilitating future expansion into advanced AI and analytics.
Stuart Hendry, Vice President of Enterprise Sales for Network Infrastructure at Nokia’s Asia Pacific division, underlined the necessity of the upgrade. “Fiber is being used to connect everything, including video systems that are critical to monitoring transportation hubs around the world,” he stated. “Ensuring you have a real-time surveillance system that is highly available, reliable and secure is vital to ensuring the safety of those travelling Singapore’s transit lines every day.”
Joaquim Santos, Vice President for Integrated Communication and Supervision Solutions at Hitachi Rail, expressed satisfaction with the partnership: “This project will play a key role in upgrading the transport infrastructure.”
The collaboration between the LTA, Nokia, and Hitachi Rail is a clear demonstration of Singapore’s commitment to continuously modernising its transport assets, blending advanced technology with robust security measures and operational efficiency for its millions of daily commuters.
