Abutaxi, a taxi association in the city of Burgos, Spain, has a new TETRA radiocommunications system, one of the first TETRA applications in this type of business.

Local supplier Bernabe Comunicaciones has suppled the system in partnership with Teltronic – the same team that provided Abutaxi’s analogue radio system back in 1991. The partners have been working together since 1983.

With Abutaxi’s TETRA system, a single radio carrier can support over 300 vehicles with simultaneous voice and data, full-duplex calls and GPS location as well as other services.

Special hardware

Working closely with its customer, Bernabe Comunicaciones decided against using Teltronic’s MDT-400 mobile unit MMI, but instead designed a special hardware unit to avoid the vehicle having any visible part which could be removed. The specially-manufactured on-board terminal has a 5·7-inch touchscreen and runs the Windows CE operating system.

These developments have led to a taxi with a concealed TETRA radio, hands-free communications, taxi-meter connection and hardware-based emergency button, all installed discreetly and without the need for a hand-microphone – thus reducing the possibility of damage and traffic fines for drivers.

Tangible benefits

Angel Bernabe, general manager of Bernabe Comunicaciones, said: “Our goal is to satisfy our customers’ needs as they are the ones who know how to do their job the best, how to optimize resources and maximize benefits.

“In our country, we say that we get used to good things straight away. The taxi-drivers got used to the new TETRA solution with all its tangible benefits. We believe that TETRA has climbed aboard the taxi never to get off again and that the sector generates good business around the world, making TETRA an attractive commercial proposition.”