Terralpha, connecting regions to a fiber-optic network
A subsidiary of SNCF Réseau, Terralpha provides high-speed broadband services to industrial groups and public sector organizations by leveraging unused optical infrastructure from rail operations—helping enhance the attractiveness and connectivity of French regions.
How we bring high-speed broadband to all regions of France
Alternative fibre optic network
As we’ve upgraded our rail system, we’ve laid nearly 20,000 km of optical fibre across France, and in 2021 we launched Terralpha to realize its full potential. This SNCF Réseau subsidiary is now building an alternative broadband network and selling access to it through strategic partnerships.
20,000 km
of optical fibre throughout France
Up to
800 Gb/s
speed
110
locations in France
Large companies and public sector entities
Terralpha offers ultra-broadband data transfer to its customers and partners, included fixed-network and mobile operators, data centre hosts and operators, major companies, the public sector and the French State.
What sets Terralpha apart
- Because we have full ownership of land along railway corridors, Terralpha offers resilience, security and sovereignty, for coverage that’s unrivalled in France.
- Latency is extremely low, thanks to straight railway lines and dedicated high-speed transport architecture.
“Express” and “local” service
Terralpha built an alternative telecoms network serving 90% of France’s cities: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Valenciennes, Poitiers, Dijon, Rennes, Rouen, Nantes, Montpellier and Strasbourg.
The company is also developing a “local” network by opening ultra-broadband points of presence (POPs) near rural railway stations, where they benefit neighbouring municipalities.
Meeting the needs of France’s regions
- Building fixed and mobile networks lets local and national telecoms operators deliver very high-speed connectivity to rural residents
- Fighting digital exclusion: Ultra broadband reduces dead zones and advances the French State’s national broadband programme
- Opening the door to economic development: Players in both the public and private sectors enjoy rapid transfer of sensitive data through secure alternative connections
Optimizing the electricity consumption at our digital points of presence
Artificial intelligence, data storage, and increased computing power are driving unprecedented demand for energy. Around the world, data centres already consume the equivalent of one-third of France's annual electricity use, and this figure could double by 20261.
As an active player in Edge Computing—a local digital hosting solution serving both public and private entities—Terralpha is committed to reducing energy use through innovative, efficient cooling and infrastructure solutions.
This SNCF Réseau subsidiary has already implemented several key initiatives:
- Free cooling: filtering and using outside air to replace traditional air conditioning for over 300 days a year
- Partnering with a French supplier of photovoltaic arrays to power our facilities with solar energy
- Use of refurbished equipment to extend the life cycle of our IT assets
- Optimization of buildings, including exterior paint color, orientation, and wood cladding to improve energy performance