France’s state-owned rail firm SNCF will launch a young quickly so as to add satellite tv for pc Web to its trains, changing into the most recent European rail operator to discover space-based programs for onboard connectivity.
In a press release to Reuters, SNCF stated yesterday it was pursuing an ‘progressive method to strengthen connectivity and resilience’ by combining terrestrial networks with low Earth-orbit satellite tv for pc options.
The corporate stated the technique goals to make sure service continuity throughout its whole community, together with remoted websites, and assure higher Web entry for practice passengers.
“The satellite tv for pc plus 4G/5G mixture would eradicate useless zones and supply secure, quick service tailored to new makes use of resembling streaming or video conferencing,” SNCF stated.
Elon Musk’s Starlink and France’s Eutelsat are among the many corporations being thought-about, a supply conversant in the matter instructed Reuters.
SNCF wouldn’t focus on with Reuters whether or not it was in talks with particular suppliers.
A Eutelsat spokesperson confirmed the corporate’s curiosity within the deal as it’s already in talks with SNCF about organising a pilot venture as they’ve already achieved in Britain and Kazakhstan.
“As one in all solely two LEO (low Earth orbit) operators at present in service, and the one French participant, we intend to bid for the contract with our French companions resembling Orange enterprise providers,” the spokesperson stated.
Starlink, which initially centered on client providers, has expanded into enterprise markets, significantly in transportation and maritime sectors.
Eutelsat, propped up by the French authorities in its push for LEO providers, gives Web entry by means of its OneWeb community of greater than 600 LEO satellites.
The transfer follows related initiatives throughout Europe.
Italy’s state railway Ferrovie dello Stato ran a two-week trial in June with two suppliers, together with Starlink, Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini stated in Might.
