09 March 2009
The goal of the project is to better protect citizens from a wide spectrum of risks including crime, terrorism, attacks on strategic sites, natural catastrophes and other emergencies. It brings together in a cooperative endeavour the government of Mexico City, one of the world's largest megacities, Telmex, a leading Latin American telecommunications company and Thales, an international leader in security solutions.
The "Ciudad Segura" surveillance project to improve urban security is unique because it will be the most highly integrated and complete system in the world. More than 500 engineers and experts from the Mexico City police department, Telmex and Thales will work together on the implementation of this project.
Mexico City authorities decided to implement an integrated urban security system to handle calls and process information from surveillance systems, built on the city's most modern secure and widespread telecommunications network. The system processes information from 8,080 video cameras and sensors located across the city and transmits alarms to the appropriate operators when any unusual events or behaviour are detected.
In a major emergency situation, police can deploy specially equipped mobile command centres that maintain contact with the central command centre (C4I). The system can also locate or identify vehicles in the city's main streets thanks to its ability to read number plates.
Telmex, a leading telecommunications company in Mexico and indeed in all of Latin America, is putting its entire existing network, and a new dedicated optical fibre network, at the service of the "Ciudad Segura" project. Telmex will also guarantee implementation of the programme. The cutting-edge technology of Telmex's infrastructures, the security, robustness and coverage of its network and its experience in operations and integration-along with the best-trained telecommunications personnel in the country-will all contribute to and guarantee the project's success.
Thales, a world leader in security solutions, uses the most modern technology available to provide video-surveillance, analyse images and other information, process emergency calls, manage events and simulate emergency situations. With its experience in Defence, the company has all the expertise required to implement its technologies in complex environments, adapt solutions to requirements and provide necessary training.
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion.
Press contacts
Thales, Security Solutions & Services
Victoire Le Barazer
Tel. +33 6 77 04 87 54
victoire.lebarazer@thalesgroup.com
Thales, Corporate Communications
Caroline Philips
Tel. +33 1 57 77 86 26
caroline.philips@thalesgroup.com