French cellco Free Mobile has signed an agreement with state-owned public transport operator Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) to deploy 3G/4G networks on the Paris metro and on lines A and B of the RER, an underground rail system which serves Paris and its suburbs. According to a joint press release, HSPA+ and Long Term Evolution (LTE) access will be extended to all Free subscribers with a compatible handset imminently, both in stations and on trains.
Emmanuel Pitron, secretary general of the RATP Group, said: ‘In today’s world, where people are constantly on the move and need permanent connectivity, this new agreement with [Free] will enable RATP to offer new services to its customers … It demonstrates RATP’s aim of providing full coverage to the seven million people who use its travel networks every day, whatever their mobile operator.’
