Alstom launches live 4G pilot for communication based train control

Alstom is launching a Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G pilot for the metro market to demonstrate the performance of a multi-services broadband radio network.

Alstom has been working on LTE since the technology has been available from the telecom industry. This pilot will be using Huawei’s LTE technology following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two companies in April 2014.

Alstom and Huawei are now ready to test the new equipment on tracks at Alstom’s Valenciennes site in France. Huawei will provide the LTE network while Alstom will provide the train and LTE-compliant onboard equipment.

With LTE, rail customers benefit from operating a single wireless infrastructure that provides mission critical voice communication, secure train signaling according to the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) standard and broadband data communication, such as live video streaming of surveillance cameras and passenger information system.

This solution complements Alstom’s world leading CBTC solution Urbalis. By the end of 2014, Alstom will be able to supply LTE technology in a converged and powerful multi-service solution. Huawei’s LTE solution has already been successfully deployed in a number of rail projects and the integration with Alstom’s CBTC solution Urbalis underlines the suitability of LTE as a converged network for rail operations.