Mobile phone services launched on Eurotunnel
2 August 2012A GSM-P optical fibre system for 2G and 3G telephone and internet services, which will enable passengers of Le Shuttle and high speed trains to use their mobiles to make calls and access the internet inside the Channel Tunnel, has been launched it was announced last week.
The project, piloted by the equipment supplier Alcatel-Lucent is the outcome of cooperation by the French telecoms operators Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom. The technology enables a wireless service 100m below sea level and throughout the 53km tunnel. The equipment was installed in 10 months.
"Eurotunnel is proud to be able regularly to improve the services we offer to our customers through major technological innovation, this time based on the expertise of Alcatel-Lucent," said Jacques Gounon, chairman and CEO of Groupe Eurotunnel.
Pascal Homsy, chairman and CEO of Alcatel-Lucent France, added: "As a result of this collaboraion with Eurotunnel, and which has used many of the different technical skills we have at Alcatel-Lucent, we are very proud to have contributed to the provision of new communication services on board the trains in the Channel Tunnel."
