Following a successful three-month competitive pilot and tender process First ScotRail has awarded Icomera the contract to provide on-train WiFi services on its Class 170 fleet of trains. The 59 trains, which operate on the busy Edinburgh-Glasgow route, will be fitted with the award-winning Icomera X6 mobile access and applications router (MAAR) and a wired Ethernet network to deliver high speed Internet access to all passengers onboard.
Scotland’s Transport Minister, Keith Brown said: “We have an absolute commitment to bringing better connectivity to every corner of Scotland and I have been highly encouraged by the success of ScotRail pilot scheme.”
“A major challenge for the transport industry is embracing new technologies to meet the demands of passengers and help them get on with their ever more busy lives while travelling.”
“Just like our roads and railways, the Internet is a vital part of Scotland’s infrastructure. It is essential that people throughout Scotland have online access to enable our economy to thrive, which is why we are already forming plans to further expand WiFi provision across the rail network.”
Icomera won the 59-train contract following a competitive tender process, which included a three-month public pilot of onboard WiFi services across ScotRail’s route network. Passenger feedback from the pilot showed that 77% of users were satisfied with the speed and performance of the WiFi, with personal and business use found to be 72% and 28% respectively.
The entire Class 170 fleet will be fitted with Icomera’s patented onboard Internet system on a rolling installation schedule during 2013.
Icomera’s CEO, Roger Sandén, said: “Icomera is delighted to have been selected, following a rigorous tender process, to work with First ScotRail and Transport for Scotland on this exciting project. Our experience around the world shows that broadband Internet access plays a pivotal role in enhancing rail passenger services by ensuring that travellers can be more productive, better entertained and better informed during their journeys. We have been offering onboard Internet services to long-distance Scottish rail passengers on the East Coast Mainline for eight years but this contract will now bring the benefits of free WiFi to Scotland’s rail commuter heartlands.”
Icomera launched the world’s first high-speed Internet solution for trains in September 2002 and is today the world’s leading provider of open Internet connectivity and application platforms for passenger transport and public safety. Our award-winning products are deployed on rail, road and sea, serving more than 30 million Wi-Fi users in over 24 countries and providing high-speed access for fleet tracking and mission-critical on-board systems.
Transport solutions of the future will require more than connectivity – passengers need to be entertained, the vehicles need to be monitored and the staff need to be kept informed. Together with our application partners Icomera is already meeting these and other needs through the deployment of complete transportation communication solutions.
Established in 1999, Icomera is headquartered in Sweden with office in the United Kingdom and channel partners worldwide. For more information visit www.icomera.com.
