TETRA  |  2013-07-11

French Gendarmerie deploys mobile radio communication system from Cassidian to ensure security at the Tour de France in Corsica

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Reliable communication among more than 25,000 security personnel during the entire race

On the occasion of the Tour de France, Cassidian set up a mobile radio communication system, called PTN (Projectable Telecommunications Network), to reinforce security forces’ means of communication for the big start in Corsica. This mobile system guaranteed additional capacity for the French National Gendarmerie’s current Tetrapol radio communication network, Rubis, which is also provided by Cassidian.

Cassidian’s mobile radio communication system PTN has been specially designed to meet the needs of military and civil security forces during tactical operations. It enables users to transmit voice and data information from radio and telephone terminals. Thanks to its modular design and the easy implementation of its IP links, the PTN can be joined to other communication networks. Made up of integrated elements and packed into tactical modular cases, this comprehensive system provides users with autonomous use in the field.


The 100th edition of the Tour de France commenced in Porto-Vecchio on 29 June, before crossing Bastia, Ajaccio and Calvi for the next two stages. The peloton, which crossed Corsica for the very first time, aroused the enthusiasm of several media and spectators in attendance along the race route. The PTN was connected to Rubis and could be deployed rapidly in order to cover the first three days of the competition in Corsica.

Each year, almost 13,000 military police and 6,000 police officers and 7,000 civil security forces are mobilised to ensure that the race runs smoothly. Thanks to Cassidian’s PTN system, security forces, which were reinforced for the event, could ensure optimal protection in Corsica.

Source: Cassidian