Audi is installing a TETRA network at its headquarters and largest production plant in Ingolstadt, Germany. The network combines infrastructure from 3T Communications (3T) with terminals from 3T’s parent company Sepura which will give coverage over the 2.6 million m² site.

The network will operate in challenging environments, from the noisy production floor which includes the body-shop, paint-shop and assembly line, to the transmissions and emissions centre, the wind tunnel and technical development centres through to the Neustadt an der Donau proving ground. 

In addition to these hostile conditions, it will also be required to handle high volumes of voice and data traffic to support the company’s complex central services such as the plant fire brigade, factory security, logistics and process control communications. 

The system chosen utilises 3T’s eXTRAS TETRA system together with 630 Sepura radio terminals – including the intrinsically-safe STP8X radio, the STP8000 hand-held terminal, the SRG3900 mobile radio and the SRC3300 covert terminal. It is being developed, delivered and installed with the support of Abel & Käufl Mobilfunkhandels. 

“After evaluating the options, we awarded the contract based on the system that would deliver the best in terms of functionality and reliability, to fulfil both our immediate and ongoing demands”, commented Klaus Goettl, who is responsible for the radio communication network and head of automation at Audi. “We believe the communications solution plays a key role in the efficiency of the production site and test tracks, and as such will help to improve our complex operations immensely.” 

Thomas Haschberger, chief executive officer at 3T Communications, added: “We are delighted to have won this significant contract with Audi. The combination of 3T and Sepura has once again delivered a compelling solution for industry, and the increasing integration of our two businesses will only strengthen the offering in the longer term.” 

Audi is one of the most modern production locations in the automotive industry. The Ingolstadt plant produced about 580 000 vehicles in 2011, including the Audi A3, A4, A5 and Q5 models, and employs over 35 000 staff.