After formalising a partnership in September 2018 with Bouygues Telecom by signing a contract to design and install the 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network coverage in its entirety for the Ligne 2 tram line in Nice, Axione is now beginning the second phase of the project.
The request came from the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur and represents a great opportunity for the Bouygues group to demonstrate the collaborative strengths of its various branches. Work began in March 2019 and Phase 1 was completed in June 2019 as planned.
The project was launched at the request of the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur and was supervised by Bouygues Télécom. The operator had to arrange and install the infrastructure that would allow the 3 other operators (Free, Orange, and SFR) to connect to each other in order to provide users with optimal connectivity when travelling on Nice’s Ligne 2 and Ligne 3 tram lines.
Phase 1 was inaugurated on 28th June 2019; Ligne 2 in its final form connects the airport and the Port de Nice via a 3km tunnel from the East to the West of the city. This tunnel was built to help serve the city centre effectively while preserving architectural heritage.
Axione, in partnership with Bouygues Télécom, carried out the site’s design and execution, providing the tram line’s 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network coverage. To do so, Axione converted the entire control centre that hosts the 4 operators’ equipment. What was difficult about the project was the fact that the location of this control centre was not actually within the tunnel.
Thanks to the work of ten or so dedicated employees and over 6 months’ work, delivery occurred at the same time as the Ligne 2’s partial opening to users last June. Users were then able to use the internet, call, or send SMS uninterrupted. This project provides an excellent reference for Axione!
For Axione, it’s a major reference in the tunnel network coverage field. Indoor and rail network coverage solutions is a major market and its deployment must be continued!
Sébastien BARRALON
Engineer in charge of the project’s design
In October 2019, the project turns a new page as it enters Phase 2, which consists of installing and commissioning eight 4G radio zones. These will add to the six currently operational zones from Phase 1. See you for the next inauguration on 14th December 2019!