The fast track to efficient railway communications - Broadband on trains
Maribor, November 2010, Ines Clenjans
 
Broadband on Train projects in regular operation
 
Broadband on Train projects in implementation/ testing or trial
 
• Grow passenger & freight volume
• Increase reliability and efficiency
• Provide real-time monitoring
• Protect against vandalism
• Improve emergency communication
Railway operators are facing tremendous challenges
 
> 90% has a mobile phone
+/- 50% has a notebook/PDA/smartphone
• Work and communicate
• Pastime (entertainment, shopping, …)
• Onboard ticketing
• Grow passenger & freight volume
• Increase reliability and efficiency
• Provide real-time monitoring
• Protect against vandalism
• Improve emergency communication
Railway operators are facing tremendous challenges
 
Range of onboard applications
Broadband on trains is more then just internet Shift from high speed towards whole transportation market e.g. cargo tracking, car tracking
Passenger applications •Internet access •Passenger information •Entertainment •information
Operational applications • Staff communication • Seat reservation • Real time fleet management • Energy metering • Fleet Monitoring • Catering •…
Security applications • Passenger counting • Door monitoring • CCTV •…
Passenger 
OperationalSecurity
      t    u     r    e
 Applications
Passenger counting Train operations Train diagnostics Fleet management, …
WLAN/VPN to passengers Messaging system Passenger information system Online ticket sales ...
Video surveillance
• MAR V2.1
• 13Gcard
• 1GPSreceiver 
Specific design based on Nokia Siemens Networks standard solution and customer requirements
System Operation
System Implementation
System Maintain
Satellite
Revenue generating & service improvement
Network Operations Center 
Multi-link endpoint router 
Internet
Satellite
UMTS/ HSDPA
Low number of sites required due to large cells
Typical cell size 1 – 2 km, shrinking on MS data rate.
Typical cell size 3,5 – 5 km (at 900 MHz)
Not common
frequency dependent
Capex affordable. OPEX is expensive, dynamic distribution might be needed
Region wide “carpet” of beams/spots
Not in tunnels
No noticeable effects below 500 km (i.e. Doppler effect)
11,7 - 12,7 GHz downlink,
14 - 14,5 GHz uplink
Low number of sites required due to large cells
Large number of sites required.
Large number of sites (OPEX) required
Low CAPEX technology
High roaming cost (OPEX)
Subscription to GPRS/edge network needed. Roaming cost might be expensive
CAPEX
OPEX
Dedicated infrastructure , so coverage is project specific. Typical in open air 2.5 km between access points.
Good in tunnels
Low penetration loss
Not common.
Small cell size.
Good in urban area, limited in rural areas.
Typical cell size 1 – 2 km, s hrinking on MS data rate.
Excellent coverage along railway lines
Coverage
Restrictions
Seamless hand-over.
seamless hand- over proven at 280km/h
No mobility for 802.16- 2004. (proprietary solutions exist)
Up to 120 km/h for 802.16e
Not specified
Proprietary solutions allow fast handoff for up to 160 km/h
Specified for up to 120 km/h.
Throughput degrades in outer cell and already at lower vehicle speed.
Degrades at higher speeds; network dependent ( 20 to 75 % @ 140Km/h)
Mobility
Frequency Band
N/A40 ms50 ms40 ms160…500 ms500…2000 msPacket Delay
16 Mbps full duplex1,5 … 4 Mbps1 … 20 Mbps4 to 22 Mbps0,3 to 14,4 Mbps
(40 Mbps SPA+)
• Conduct a detailed site survey of the trains to connect
• Combine multiple backhauls
 
CCTV video surveillance***
Cargo & object tracking***
Train diagnostics & monitoring***
Fleet network management***
Online ticket sales & seat reservations**
Entertainment**
 Application based on *) GSM-R; **) Broadband on trains; ***) both
 
Consulting & Systems Integration
Planning and building the operations and management of the day-to-day tasks in a customer's network
Delivering a full implementation package
ranging from installation support,
project & program management,
training and documentation
Supporting train operators in their efforts to address their business challenges and improve their business performance through consulting and system integration services
Providing the best hardware and software maintenance services for optimal network performance
Fleet Network Manager Fleet Network Manager  
Integration and services
Specific challenges
• Content/marketing for 4 countries
• Regulations in 4 countries
the internet solution was a major asset for the
project and Thalys international. The consortium
offered the best of both worlds – a great technical
solution and a sound financial proposal.”
Thalys
 A tracking antenna on the roof ensures Internet connections through bidirectional satellite link
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First broadband internet supplier for an international high-speed train
“I am convinced we have chosen the right partners for this large scale project. Broadband WiFi Internet access is a key event for 
Thalys and will be the first step of ambitious developments with the objective to reinforce clearly the Thalys position as an innovative
company oriented for generating new services for its customers.” Jean-Michel Dancoisne, CEO, International Thalys
Network operation center
 
Velaro RUS project customized according customer needs and Russian certification standards
St. Petersburg – Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod
• Basic order: 8 trains equipped with GSM backhaul
• Optional: System integration with satellite backhaul
• On-site delivery in only 3 months – commercial since Dec. 2009
St. Petersburg
Nizhny Novgorod