The project was carried out by a consortium including the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) from Germany, Avanti Communications in the United Kingdom and ARS Traffic and Transport Technology from The Netherlands.
The study began in January 2006 and had three main objectives:
- To analyse the market for the provision of Broadband Access to trains
- To define the set of commercial and operational requirements for the service that will be launched in the short term (2007)
- To review the applicable railway standards and regulations
The key role of satellite
Already accustomed to broadband networks at stations and airports, users are currently demanding access while on the move. By providing extended coverage, direct access to mobile users and fast deployment of the service satellite telecommunications technologies are effective in providing of broadband access to trains.
Furthermore, by integrating different services within IP technologies and/or with terrestrial networks to achieve full coverage, makes satellite communications an excellent candidate in supporting broadband access from trains.
ESA launched this study in the framework of ARTES 1 (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) with the intention of outlining a sustainable service ready to be commercially exploited by European operators. ESA anticipates that the completion of this study will result in a service which is affordable to both passengers and service providers as well as providing European industry with the opportunity for advanced technology developments. The study was wholly funded by ESA.
The presentation will be held at ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk the Netherlands on 3 July 2006 from 14:00 in the Newton auditorium.
Attendance is free of charge and open to any individual or company but space is limited so anyone wishing to attend should do so by contacting Mr Fermin Alvarez Lopez or Ms Pascale Tshilumba.
Be sure to include your name, mailing address, email and company details.
TGV image courtesy SNCF
