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The ‘hybrid’ satellite and Wi-Fi solution has been specifically designed for the needs of services and Internet access at high speeds. While it is not an entirely new concept of providing Internet access on transportation systems in Europe and Asia, this implementation is seen as remarkable for its performance. It has to ensure continuous service at speeds of up to 320 kph, but also for the optimisation of traffic flow, enabling simultaneous access to the service for a maximum number of users. Passengers can benefit from an Internet connection on 98 percent of the eastbound France lines leaving from or arriving at the station of Paris-Est with constant output per train of 2Mbits/s download and 512 Kbit/s upload rates. A link at 320 kph For transmission and reception of data, including VOIP (Skype) on-board the train, Eutelsat has designed a new antenna with mechanical antenna pointing (pointing permanently in the direction of the satellite), conforming equally to the constraints of the railway environment, user safety, and the specific requirements of high-speed travel: • By being compact, it avoids generating aerodynamic disturbance: 45 cm high, it is installed under a 50 cm high radome • By being robust, it is designed to function under extreme conditions and respects railway standards (vibrations, temperatures, electromagnetic environment, etc.) • By being efficient, it can ensure the reliable transmission of data up to a speed of 320 kph which constitutes a breakthrough in the railway environment This antenna is fixed on a support that has also been specifically developed by Alstom, the trains manufacturer, in order to resist the physical constraints linked to operation of the train at 320 kph including impacts and vibrations, wind pressure, low height, acoustics, and strong accelerations/decelerations. Content is available without interruption (100 percent, including in stations) on TGV lines linking Paris with the east, and the Internet connection is available 98 percent of the time (in France, only the crossing of the Vosges mountains has not been equipped for this test phase), i.e. close to 2,000 km of track is covered. The output for each train is 20 Mbits/s on-board, 2 Mbit/s for the ground-board link (descending satellite link), and 512 Kbit/s for the board-ground link (ascending satellite link). Information exchanges are completely secure. Passengers becoming increasingly ‘mobile’ Several customer surveys have been carried out to measure passenger expectations (IPSOS concept test in 2005; Journeys-SNCF.com survey in 2007), as well as the results of trials (Clic TGV quality test in 2004; Connexion TGV quality test in 2007). The IPSOS survey involved some 11,000 passengers on-board, and shows their real interest in having an on-board Internet connection (with 50 percent of customers declaring they would definitely use it plus 36 percent who would probably use it). One customer in four is interested in a Wi-Fi connection, has his/her own equipment to connect up, and is prepared to pay for this service; these are customers who travel on business as well as for personal or leisure reasons, including both people travelling alone and families—all age groups and all travel times. The last study carried out (in June 2007) was aimed at four target groups (Young travellers aged 15-25; ‘Urban nomads’ or net-workers aged 26-49; Families; and Seniors). The ‘Internet portal for on-board services’ was positively rated by 47 percent of customers and ranked first among the new services tested. In 2004, a quality test was carried out following experimentation with a Wi-Fi connection on-board a TGV. It offered two alternatives: a connection to the TGV portal (Clic TGV) or access to broadband Internet. Results showed a 50/50 breakdown of preferences between access to a closed portal and to broadband Internet, as well as more general interest in on-board entertainment, in particular films. Win customer loyalty through rich and diversified content A quality test carried out in April 2007 on a first prototype of a multimedia portal confirmed the two essential expectations of customers: access to the Internet and access to films. It was confirmed that entertainment and information services are definitely part of the idea that travellers have of the service and the results also showed that passengers would appreciate personalised content when they are connected. The service proposed with the Services and Internet Access Portal system responds to a dual objective: • Offering an on-board multimedia portal as well as continuous Internet access • Taking the travel environment into account This translates into not only an offer designed specifically for TGV but also into a service designed for every passenger with Wi-Fi compatible portable computers, whether for business or leisure use. Mobility at the core of travel: high customer expectations In 2007: • 58 percent of French citizens had personal access to the Internet (+12 percent compared to 2006) • 94 percent of these users are connected via broadband access (72 percent in Europe); almost half of them using Wi-Fi (according to the French Mediametry Institute) • 54 percent of computers bought were portables in 2006–2007 as against 30 percent in 2005 (according to Gartner statistics) Surveys carried out among TGV passengers concur with this tendency towards ‘mobility’ and the demand for access to multimedia and the Internet throughout their journey. John has 35 years experience in the Information Communications Technology sector in product and strategy development and is a registered expert in ICT matters for the European Commission. John Beer Strategy Analysis Ltd john.beer@strategyanalysis.co.uk “ entertainment and information services are definitely part of the idea that travellers have of the service, and passengers would appreciate personalised content when they are connected” 18 e• views Journal, Xplor UK & Ireland Edition Issue 7 January 2009 http://www.Journeys-SNCF.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of e views - January 2009

e views - January 2009 Contents Technology Management Creating a Print Intelligent Enterprise The Future of Broadband Connectivity: @ 320 kph? TPE Master Class Cover Story TransPromo and the Credit Crunch Xplor Europe News Service Directory

e views - January 2009

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