Romkatel, Entel’s Constanta-based dealership in Romania, has once
again fended off competition from other brands, this time by offering
Entel’s innovative PMR446 ATEX HT953 radios into the country’s rapidly
expanding energy sector. Hundreds of Entel hand portables are being
supplied to guarantee worker safety below ground.

The Italian company, Enel – which has a presence in 40 countries
worldwide and is now Europe’s second largest utility company – specified
that while safety, product reliability and build quality were
paramount, they wanted to avoid the additional cost of Romanian
type-approvals and licensing. Romkatel instantly recognised the
opportunity to place Entel’s HT953 PMR446 ATEX radio, which, whilst
meeting and exceeding the highest Ex IIC criteria, needs no licensing
and is certified for use in the most hazardous environments.

This was important, as the radios will be used deep underground in
tunnels, where there is a potential build-up of explosive gases. Entels
HT953 and screenless HT952 radios have proved remarkably successful in
this kind of environment before, not only in the UK, but across Europe
as a whole. The procurement team were especially impressed by its IP68
submersibility rating, strong MILSTD construction and the long duty
cycles provided by the lightweight lithium-ion battery packs – essential
in harsh, wet conditions.

Enel says that it is committed to a zero accidents policy and sees
its investment in Entel’s licence-free ATEX portables as an important
step in implementing its health and safety plans, as it modernises
Romania’s energy production and distribution network. The Romkatel
dealership also stands to benefit from further and significant radio
sales, now that their customer is the country’s largest single investor
in Romania’s energy market.