Bane NOR - Norway’s national railway
Public Address and Voice Alarm System for Norway’s primary state-owned railway company.
Background
Over the past 15 years, Zenitel has been responsible for delivering the hardware, software, and services needed to provide clear and reliable audible customer information, supporting Bane NOR in fulfilling their mission. This included amplifiers, controllers, loudspeakers, microphones, ambient noise control, and remote monitoring, equipping more than 360 stations with advanced PA systems to ensure accurate communication with the public.
Additionally, Zenitel supplied four major stations Holmestrand, Oslo Central, Nationaltheatret, and Gardermoen with comprehensive PAVA systems, fully compliant with EN 54 standards, ensuring passengers are both informed and protected.
Some Bane NOR stations pose considerable security, installation, and practical challenges including operation in harsh environments and the accessing of remote destinations. This, combined with rapidly evolving passenger demands results in the need for new and creative solutions, tailored to individual use cases.
Solutions
Over the years, Zenitel has supplied Bane NOR with a series of PAVA solutions, each representing cutting-edge technology for its time. While the technology has evolved, legacy systems continue to be routinely maintained and remain fully operational today.
The first-generation IPA400 amplifier, designed specifically for Bane NOR, was groundbreaking. It combined PA amplification, routing, and Ethernet connectivity into a single 2U unit and is still installed in stations across Norway. Zenitel’s Voice-over-IP platform, VIPA, enabled—and continues to enable—efficient audio distribution over a network, seamlessly integrating with third-party train scheduling systems to broadcast real-time arrivals and departures.
Building on the success of IPA400 and VIPA, Zenitel introduced the IPAM400, which retained the core functionality while adding monitoring capabilities. This feature provides maintenance teams with remote reassurance that the systems are performing as expected.
Today, Zenitel’s next-generation VAIA PAVA controller/amplifier surpasses its predecessors in performance while offering a more sustainable solution for Bane NOR. Its successful deployment in the Follo Tunnels and numerous stations as part of a phased upgrade demonstrates its reliability and effectiveness.
Result
Leveraging their expertise in PAVA systems and a deep track record in the rail industry, Zenitel continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions for Bane NOR stations, deploying turnkey systems that are customer-focused, reliable, and increasingly efficient for years to come.
The implementation of the iVENCS control system at the Line’s Operational Control Centre has further enhanced operations for Bane NOR, connecting stations and infrastructure nationwide. Its remote monitoring capabilities provide a crucial fallback in the event of a national train-running system failure.
With a forward-looking approach to technology, Zenitel continues to invest heavily in research and development, ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow and remain a trusted partner for many years ahead.
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