Reseau Ferre de France Selects Nortel as GSM-R Supplier

April 20, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

The railway communication network supplied by Nortel is designed to provide RFF with improved voice and data services to support operations of conventional and high-speed rail lines across France, said Nortel.

Nortel's selection follows the commercial launch in the summer of 2006 of the RFF core communications network which is based on RFF's Nortel-supplied Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC).

The new network will support the existing French national radio network, including the East of France railway line from Paris to Bar le Duc. This line is already in service and the high-speed line from Paris to Strasbourg is scheduled to open in mid-2007.

The PPP for the Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway (GSM-R) network is touted as the first of its type for RFF, providing an innovative method for financing, deploying, operating and maintaining GSM-R networks, said Nortel.

The partnership will enable RFF to speed modernization of its ground-to-train radio system while maintaining interoperability and continuity of service with existing infrastructure.

"Working closely with Nortel we'll be able to accelerate deployment of a modern, interoperable infrastructure with reinforced operational requirements while getting implementation and operating costs under control," said Jean-Marc Charroud, director, Project Deployments, RFF.

"By progressing our communications, we're also enhancing our service reliability and safety, improving communications between railway workers and offering new services to railway companies and their customers."

Source: Nortel.