France – Installation of telecommunications equipment – Etudes & travaux pour la réalisation des lignes expérimentales E HSL EUROLINK Phase 1.2 & MELUSINA 2026-2029

Within a few years, the GSM-R (2G) network will be replaced by the FRMCS (5G) network to ensure the communications and data transmissions of railway traffic. SNCF Réseau has launched projects to experiment with this future network on two lines:

- The 5G HSL EUROLINK project will test the new network on the LGV Nord (line 226000). It consists of two initial phases:

+ Phase 1.1 (excluded from this contract)

+ Phase 1.2 over approximately 90 km

- The 5G MELUSINA project, for the French part, concerns the Metz-Luxembourg section of line 180000.

+ Single phase over approximately 50 km

To ensure coverage of these lines, the FRMCS network can rely on the existing GSM-R infrastructure. However, it also requires new high points, interspersed between the GSM-R sites, to meet its performance objectives. The present contract is composed of 2 lots:

- Lot 1: 5G HSL EUROLINK Phase 1.2

+ 13 FRMCS sites to be built, including the high point and the technical area

+ 13 technical areas to be installed near existing GSM-R or MNO sites

- Lot 2: 5G MELUSINA

+ 4 FRMCS sites to be built, including the high point and the technical area

+ 8 technical areas to be installed near MNO or GSM-R sites

+ 1 technical area to be installed on a terrace to be built near the existing GSM-R site