The SNCF selects THALES for the replacement of its Tetra communication system in the Île-de-France region

The SNCF selects THALESfor the replacement of its Tetra communication systemin the le-de-France region

Thales has won the IRIS2 “Regeneration of the SNCF safety radio network in the le-de-France” contract. Using Thales’ innovative DigiM@x technology, this system will give the SNCF an upgradeable secure network across all train stations and lines in the Paris area by the end of 2011. This contract also includes a comprehensive service proposal including maintenance over 8 years with a possible option to 15 years and the training of the SNCF teams.

Installed by the SNCF on all its lines in the le-de-France region (Paris and its region, covering 11.6 million habitants), the IRIS2 radio network is designed to provide reliable and secure communication to the monitoring, safety and security teams. It includes more than 1,000 Tetra terminals distributed over 203 radio relays and 55 management centres around Paris.

The DigiM@x solution proposed by Thales in partnership with Exprimm (Bouygues Group) will make it possible to replace the whole of the existing Tetrapol network with a system using the “Tetra Over IP” technology developed by Thales. This solution offers a fully distributed architecture based on IP technology and gives many advantages, particularly ease of management for the system, greater resistance for the network and simplified roll out of new services (geolocation, applications for activity segments, etc.).

The progressive and definitive migration from Tetrapol to Tetra also makes it easier to roll out new capacities designed to host Wide band PMR (Private Mobile Radio) technologies.

“We are extremely proud of being selected by the SNCF for this project“, explained Jean-Michel Lagarde, Vice-President in charge of Systems activities for Thales Communications S.A. “In just a short time, Thales has been able to assume a strong position in the ultra-competitive PMR market, thanks to technological innovation. Solutions such as DigiM@x or TeM@x, based on IP architecture and high-speed technologies, now give our customers unequalled services and capacities. The exchange of images, voice and data in real time and in total security is now a reality on PMR networks.“

For this project, Thales joined forces with Exprimm, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Group specialising in the engineering and roll out of radio systems (Tetra, PMR, RF, GSM, Wifi, WiMax, etc. solutions) and infrastructures (lighting, signalling, etc.) in the specific environments of urban transport.

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