Since 2018, SNCF has been building a GPRS system from Kontron Transportation in its GSM-R network, which will enable a significant improvement of capacity for the ETCS system. This feature is called ETCS over GPRS and has recently successfully passed the European standardization procedure. The main advantage of this system is an increase the number of ETCS users.
The project concerning the line Paris Lyon covers approximately 483 km and is called HPGVSE (Haute Performance Grande Vitesse Sud Est) at SNCF side and it will be operated in ETCS over GPRS mode. The objective for 2025 is the commissioning of ERTMS on the line LGV SE (Ligne à Grande Vitesse Sud-Est), so as to increase the reliability of operation and increase the capacity of the line by more than 20 %.
From a technical point of view, the entire GPRS infrastructure is based on the so-called geo-redundant infrastructure systems of the GSM-R / GPRS network. One of the key elements is a technical solution to ensure cyber security. The HPGVSE project is only the first step towards the GPRS system. As a next step, SNCF would like to put this system into operation on the Marseille – Vintimille line.
