WiFi coming soon to French TGV trains?

WiFi coming soon to French TGV trains?

After years of tests, the French state railway operator SNCF is going to launch an invitation to tender to equip its TGV (high-speed train) carriages with WiFi, Le Monde Informatique reports. There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the travelling public.

picture of 3 TGV trains
Three TGV trains at Paris Gare de l’Est. Picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

On Friday’s France Inter breakfast programme, Axelle Lemaire, the Secretary of State for Digital Affairs encouraged SNCF to deploy WiFi quickly on TGV lines. An invitation to tender to provide internet access will be launched very shortly under the aegis of SNCF’s digital strategy. The railway company has been testing a service using a flat satellite antenna on the roof of some carriages for several years. In June 2007, SNCF was reported to be working together with Colubris Networks. In December 2007, the firm was testing a WiFi service on TGV services to eastern France. There has since been lots of public relations exercises, but nothing definite for passengers.

If passengers are growing impatient waiting for the arrival of WiFi on TGV services, this is also because the service has already been available for many years on Thalys and EuroStar trains providing international services. SNCF’s immobility is once again being blamed on the cost of deployment: €350,000 would be needed to equip one TGV carriage. Asked whether the service would be free for passengers, the Secretary of State stonewalled expertly hoping “that the recent increase in SNCF’s fares will include the costs of deploying WiFi”, adding her wish that “using the WiFi would be without additional charge for passengers”.

Author: Steve Woods

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