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3w ago

SNCF Plans Late-2025 Tender to Shift TGV Wi-Fi to LEO Satellites

SNCF will issue a call for satellite internet bids in late 2025 to address persistent signal blackouts on its high-speed routes.

Consciente de ce problème, la SNCF entend prendre le problème à bras-le-corps.
L’appel d’offres pour changer de fournisseur d'internet devrait être lancé au dernier trimestre 2025.

Overview

  • The operator confirms it is conducting exploratory tests and has not committed to any specific provider yet.
  • Elon Musk’s Starlink, operating over 7 800 low-Earth orbit satellites, and France’s state-backed Eutelsat-OneWeb, with about 600 satellites, are leading contenders.
  • Today’s TGV Wi-Fi depends on 18 000 trackside 4G/5G antennas and onboard fiber but often fails at speeds above 200 km/h due to Doppler effects.
  • ScotRail began a six-month Starlink trial in mid-May, demonstrating satellite service viability for rail applications.
  • On June 19, the French government raised its stake in Eutelsat from 13 % to 29 %, becoming the company’s largest shareholder ahead of the competition.