SOCIÉTÉ du Grand Paris (SGP), the company delivering the Grand Paris Express project, has awarded Nokia a contract to supply a mobile core and radio access network for the 200km driverless metro that is expected to carry up to 2 million passengers a day.

Grand Paris Express involves the construction of new lines 15, 16, 17 and 18 as well as the extension of Line 14 of the current Paris metro network. A total of 68 new metro stations will be built.

Nokia will supply a 5G-ready IP/MPLS multiservice, mobile core and radio access network (RAN) that will support all operational and maintenance requirements on the new network, providing indoor and outdoor connectivity on all lines and at all Grand Paris Express stations and depots.

The IP/MPLS communications network will operate as a high-speed backbone that Nokia says will improve operational efficiency, safety and the passenger experience.

Providing highly-secure communications between the network control centre, trains, stations and depots, the new system will also be an important component in SGP’s cybersecurity strategy, Nokia says.

It will enable control centre staff to monitor in real time CCTV footage from onboard the driverless trains, enabling them to quickly identify threats and accelerate response times.

For passengers, Nokia says the new communications system will provide higher levels of customer service, “with intuitive ticketing and enhanced updates regarding passenger information.”

SGP has already awarded Nokia a contract to supply an LTE wireless network system for the three new lines of Grand Paris Express.

“These projects provide critical high-speed connectivity and performance at all points within the new Grand Paris metro and its operations,” says Mr Matthieu Bourguignon, vice-president enterprise Europe sales at Nokia.

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