Study on feasibility of SATCOM for railway communication

Final Report
below shows the conceptual breakdown modelled to compute the OPEX originated by the valueadded
services.
Data Rate/train
Maintenance
Data Rate
OPEX
# Trains
BW Cost
Price/MHz
Figure 79: Value-added services OPEX breakdown model
In addition to the model above, in the case of LTE, a 50% extra cost for enhancing the base station
equipment is allowed for in order to enable broadband services, and this has an impact on both
CAPEX and OPEX. This enhancing cost is completely incurred by the Infrastructure Manager.
9.3.3 Results Analysis and Recommendations
This section is devoted to presenting the quantitative cost for each stakeholder for the scenarios
analysed.
9.3.3.1 Approach to the analysis
The objective of this feasibility study is to determine which alternative is more suitable for GSM-R
replacement. Thus, the costs and investment requirements of each option evaluated will be presented
relative to GSM-R. Notwithstanding, the model supports the use of any technology as a baseline for
comparison. Broadband services results will be presented as absolute values.
9.3.3.2 Preliminary Results
The market is clearly divided among narrowband solutions, which are ideally suited to the needs of
safety-critical functional requirements; and broadband solutions, which require a larger investment, but
have the potential to generate a return through value-added services.
This distinction is clearly shown in Figure 80, where, in narrowband, all technologies apart from
TETRA present positive net present values when compared to GSM-family solutions (including GSM-
R or GPRS, with equally modelled cost structures). On the other hand, broadband solutions showcase
higher net present values due to the generation of revenues thanks to the scope for value added
services. As mentioned before, LTE has been considered an option in both categories due to its broad
range of applicability. A narrowband implementation has been considered at a typical 900 MHz (a
medium value in the region of used for GSM-R or GPRS), while a broadband implementation has
been proposed in the 2.000 MHz band.
Doc.Nº: SRAIL-FNR-010-IND
Edit./Rev.: 1/1
Date: 16/02/2017
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