Connectivity on the rail network: combining forces to serve customers
The customer experience offered by the CFL is not limited to mobility solutions, far from it. Internet access at all of the country’s railway stations and stops is already a relevant example of related services contributing to travel comfort.
Having equipped all 68 stations and stops on the rail network with free ‘CFL Free Wifi’ internet access, and 64 of their 81 buses (at the time of writing), the CFL are continuing to promote the installation of internet access along the railway lines. This approach goes hand in hand with the entry into service of the new Coradia trains, the first trains in Luxembourg to have a WiFi connection option on board.
All stops and stations in Luxembourg have CFL Free WiFi access. Find out how to connect here.
By signing a joint agreement on Wednesday 6 November 2024, the State, the CFL and the mobile network operators (Luxembourg Online, Orange Luxembourg, POST Luxembourg and Proximus Luxembourg) laid the foundations for collaboration to improve connectivity during train journeys on the Luxembourg rail network. This is a key factor in the attractiveness of the train as a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly means of transport.
A win-win-win agreement
To this end, the agreement provides for the construction of new pylons that will be positioned and equipped to cover the various lines of the rail network and offer connectivity to the surrounding area. This equipment will also support the existing GSM-R network used by the CFL for their internal operations.
‘Connectivity is a subject very important to our customers. The collaboration with all the mobile network operators in Luxembourg provides a solid basis for the continued development of the mobile network along our rail network. This is a sine qua non for offering continuous connectivity on board our rolling stock, for taking account of the development of communication standards specific to rail and for promoting the ongoing digitalisation of Luxembourg’, explains Marc Hoffmann, Director of Infrastructure Management at CFL.
Representatives of the CFL and mobile operators at the signing of the collaboration agreement on 6 November 2024.
The State (via the Fonds du Rail) will cover the construction costs, while the CFL’s Infrastructure Manager will coordinate the construction of the pylons. The pylons will then be equipped and operated for a minimum of 10 years by the mobile operators against payment of a moderate rental fee. A ‘win-win-win’ agreement between public and private players serving the greatest number of people, in keeping with the Luxembourg tradition of partnerships between public and private players.
First site on the new line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg
An initial site validated by the partners will serve as a full-scale test, located in the immediate vicinity of the flyover (flying junction) structure (picture below), where the tracks of the new Luxembourg – Bettembourg line will rise above the tracks of the existing railway line.
‘In the next stage, we will be agreeing with mobile network operators on the location of future broadcasting sites on railway property,’ explains Christian Zimmer, Head of the Digital Transformation Division, CFL Infrastructure Engineering Department.
Nine other areas with weak coverage, spread over most railway lines, have been identified by the CFL and are currently under discussion. All these sites are in the Guttland region.
‘We are also carrying out specific studies for continuous coverage of the Luxembourg – Ettelbruck – Troisvierges – Gouvy line, which, beyond Ettelbruck, has many tunnels which makes it more challenging to implement a mobile network,’ adds Christian Zimmer.
A pilot project in a tunnel is planned for 2025 to find a solution that will offer a continuous connection when trains pass through these engineering structures.