Orange and UDcast trial Wi-Fi on high-speed trains

Wi-Fi on trains is good news for consumers but could mean more competition for mobile TV providers if it makes Internet TV a viable alternative to mobile services. In a trial of hybrid satellite and Wi-Fi on the French railways, Orange Business Services is the official project contractor and service integrator for train operator SNCF, and UDcast has provided its UDgateway satellite-delivered Internet access solution, which is installed in the Wi-Fi equipment and servers.

 The trial is taking place on three trains on the TGV East sector of SNCF (high-speed trains on the east of the French National Railway Network). Services must be maintained at speeds up to 320 km/h (173 mph). The services portal offered in SNCF is based on a non-stop Internet connection that is said to be highly secure.

"UDcast solutions enable satellite Internet services that are efficient and low cost in several mobile environments such as civil and military ships, trucks and other mobility projects," comments Jas Saini, CEO of UDcast. "We are very happy to participate in the trial with Orange, contributing to the service on board high-speed trains in France."

UDgateway enhances IP transmissions that are otherwise slowed by the satellite delay. UDcast's equipment adapts protocols like TCP and HTTP to optimise the bandwidth and increase the speed at which files are sent. Data compression mechanisms allow faster data exchanges and use less bandwidth, the vendor explains. The UDgateway can encrypt all communications between the trains and the satellite Internet service provider, as well as integrate a firewall function to protect onboard networks from possible Internet security attacks.