GSM-Rail
Holding (starting from May 2018):
70% VINCI Concessions
30% SFR
End of contract (year):
March 2025
Concession company:
Synerail
Coverage:
16,000 km of railway tracks operated by SYNERAIL since the 2nd of December 2018
In the early 2000s, European institutions were keen to improve interoperability between rail networks and harmonise the various communication systems. It was within this context that in 2010, SNCF Réseau (formerly known as RFF) awarded the contract to gradually replace its telecommunications system to the Synerail consortium, in which VINCI Concessions currently holds a 70% stake.
The aim was to replace the radio system and wires with a GSM-Rail network that can transmit data and voice. This single, shared network will replace 35 different telecommunications systems. GSM-Rail is being deployed across a significant portion of the rail network in France, and along the high-speed rail lines in particular.
This shift to digital technology brings with it greater security as well as improved communications between the various members of the rail teams. It is also compatible with several applications. This network has been progressively extended and now covers almost 18,000 km of track, carrying 80% of rail traffic in France.
The year 2020 was marked by the tenth anniversary of this PPP, a first in French railway history. A sign of the confidence this model inspires: in June 2020, Synerail finalised the refinancing of its senior debt for an amount of 58 million euros.
OPENING UPNEW OPPORTUNITIES
The railway of tomorrow, today
VINCI Railways strives to develop smart rail infrastructure that can maintain compatibility with the most cutting-edge technologies, which improve safety as well as performance and efficiency, such as Machine to Machine (M2M) communication.
GSM-Rail brings new capabilities to most of the rail network.
The various members of the teams working on the railway – including train drivers, traffic controllers, on-board personnel and station managers – can communicate easily. It is now possible to make announcements, connect several people on a single call and send signalling information directly to train drivers. In the future, GSM-Rail will also be able to monitor freight transport, manage video surveillance on trains and operate information services for users.
ChallengeMet
An ever-safer rail network
Safety is a priority for VINCI Railways across all the infrastructure it operates.
GSM-Rail technology improves safety on the rail network and makes circulation smoother, in particular as it helps to localise contacts precisely and manage priority calls. GSM-Rail guarantees rail network users a faster and more accurate communication system.
KeyStages
- 18 February 2010: signature of the contract between SNCF Réseau (formerly known as RFF) and Synerail to finance, design, build, operate and maintain GSM-Rail for a 15-year period over 14,000 km of the rail network in France.
- 2010-2011: audit and operation by Synerail of an additional 2,500 km of already equipped railway line.
- 2012: delivery and start of operation of the first installation phase of the GSM-Rail network.
- 2016: start of the network operation deployed by Synerail.
- 2018: completion of transition, the entire network covered by the contract is now operated using GSM-Rail technology.
- February 2020: tenth anniversary of the PPP
- June 2020: Synerail finalises the refinancing of its senior debt for an amount of 58 million euros.
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