Milanese airports go digital with Motorola TETRA

Italian airport operator SEA Group (Società Esercizi Aeroportuali SpA) has selected Motorola Solutions to implement an upgrade to digital communications at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports.

The TETRA Dimetra IP Compact radio communications system will connect the airports, providing SEA with the ability to enhance customer services with rapid flight turnaround and more efficient terminal operations.

“With 1200 operating radios and an increase in operations, SEA needed a more dynamic solution for communications,” says Fabio Degli Esposti, information and communication technology director, SEA.

“Faced with the need to replace an outdated system and the need to cope with an increasing demand of services, the only choice for us was to switch to digital technology, which is able to guarantee a safe and effective service."

In Malpensa — where the old and the new systems had to coexist during the migration phase — everything was fully operational within just two weeks, including the configuration of 1000 new radios. At Linate Airport, the system, supporting 400 new radios, was set up in just a week.

“SEA could not afford any inefficiency,” says Giuliano Posenato, customer service manager, Motorola Solutions Italy. “The implementation had to be very fast, because the requirement was to change the engine on the machine while it was still running.”

Motorola Solutions’ TETRA base stations now deliver network coverage in both airports. Old radios used throughout the airports were also replaced with new TETRA digital handsets.

Motorola Solutions has signed a four-year managed services agreement with SEA, guaranteeing technology evolution including the replacement of its complete telecommunication system (controller, base stations and radios).

The company will provide global integrated services infrastructure with access to technical support and certified repair centres.

In September 2015, Motorola Solutions will upgrade the connections at both airports with the latest generation of the Motorola Solutions TETRA system Dimetra 8.2, enhancing data transmission and offering SEA the opportunity to develop rich data services to further improve both operations and the customer experience.

SEA and the group’s companies manage and develop the airports of Milano Malpensa 1 and Milano Malpensa 2, as well as Milano Linate.

Milano–Malpensa Airport is situated about 48 km from Milan and is connected to the main cities of northern Italy and Switzerland. This airport has two passenger terminals and one cargo terminal.

Linate Airport, about 8 km from Milan, serves a frequent-flyer clientele travelling to domestic and international European destinations.

At the two airports, SEA Group offers all services and activities related to the arrival and departure of aircraft: management of airport safety; passenger and cargo handling; and continuous development of commercial services for passengers, operators and visitors.

Image courtesy SEA Group.