On-train connectivity solutions provider Icomera and leading UK train operator Chiltern Railways are this week celebrating a major milestone with the number of passengers using the Chiltern WiFi service passing the 1 million mark in just 12 months.
Alan Riley, Head of On Train Service at Chiltern Railways said: ?We are delighted to see that so many of our customers really value fast, reliable free WiFi access as they travel. The WiFi service has be a key part of the success of our new Mainline service, which has seen passenger volumes increase by 45%. The huge growth in smartphones, tablets and other WiFi-ready devices means that connectivity on the move has become essential for business and leisure travellers alike.?
Icomera was awarded the contract to install Chiltern?s mainline fleet in early 2011 following a competitive tender process. Fleet installation was completed in time for Chiltern?s mainline service launch in September last year. Chiltern?s WiFi service is offered free to all passengers.
Icomera?s Sales Director, Peter Kingsland said: ?The Chiltern WiFi experience clearly demonstrates that a high usage free onboard internet service can delivered at a consistent quality to all passengers. Icomera?s use of technologies such as caching, compression, cellular diversity and aggregation, and network acceleration technology make this possible.?
The award-winning Icomera X6 mobile application router at the heart of the Chiltern Railways free WiFi service uses multiple HSPA mobile broadband networks to deliver a faster, higher availability connection than can ever be achieved using a single sim connection. The system is also ready to take advantage of new faster 4G services as these are rolled out in the UK. Icomera has already been using 4G/LTE networks on its customer services in Sweden for the past 18 months.
Alan Riley said: ?With WiFi user numbers still increasing month-on-month we expect to reach our second million even more quickly. Our challenge now is to build on this success and to take the passenger WiFi offering to the next level.?
About Icomera
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.
For more information visit https://icomera.wpengine.com or come a see us in person at Innotrans 2012 ? Hall 7.1, Stand 112
About Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways is part of Arriva plc, the division of Deutsche Bahn AG responsible for regional passenger transport outside of Germany. Our website – www.chilternrailways.co.uk – has full timetable information, as well as a summary of Chiltern Railways’ great value fares and destination guides to give you inspiration where to go and money off a number of attractions along our line.
