LNER (London North Eastern Railways) has chosen ENGIE group subsidiary Icomera to deliver state-of-the-art Passenger Wi-Fi to its new “Azuma” fleet of 65 Hitachi Intercity Express train sets. The project is due to be completed by early 2020 and, once ready, will cover LNER’s entire route, serving passengers traveling between London, Peterborough, the East Midlands, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow.
To meet LNER’s ambitious project requirements, the trains will be among the first to be equipped with the next generation of Icomera technology. Firstly, Icomera will deploy its new 5G-ready X5 mobile access and applications router on board. Delivering LTE-A connectivity, the X5 is ideally suited to support future-proof mobile Internet solutions and offers a simple one-box approach for adding additional onboard systems and services, as and when required. Alongside this, Icomera’s SynAPse Access Points will also be installed on the LNER trains. These high-performance units comfortably meet the data-heavy requirements of today’s passengers and have been designed to allow the full potential of the onboard router to be realised in every carriage. This new hardware will be complemented by Icomera’s powerful suite of fully-integrated software tools, empowering LNER to remotely manage their solution for an optimal user experience.
The roll-out and upgrade program heralds an exciting new phase in Icomera’s on-going relationship with the InterCity East Coast franchise, having deployed its first UK Wi-Fi service on this same line in 2004.
Aileen Jordan, Director of Azuma at LNER, commented: “We are very excited to be working on this upgrade project together with Icomera. LNER’s new Azuma trains will revolutionise travel on the east coast, enabling us to provide our passengers with a consistently excellent onboard experience, and Icomera’s Passenger Wi-Fi service, delivered through their powerful hardware and connectivity platform, will certainly help enhance this.”
Dave Palmer, Icomera’s UK Managing Director, said: “Having worked together for many years, it’s a pleasure to continue our successful relationship with the team managing the InterCity East Coast franchise, one of the UK’s most important rail routes. For this roll-out, LNER have again demonstrated their willingness to seek forward-looking connectivity solutions and will be well-equipped to continue delivering an industry-leading Passenger Wi-Fi service in future.”
About Icomera
Icomera, a wholly owned subsidiary of ENGIE Ineo, is the world’s leading provider of open Internet connectivity and application platforms for passenger transport and public safety. Its award-winning products are deployed on rail, road and sea, serving millions of Wi-Fi users every week across the globe and providing high-speed access for fleet tracking and mission-critical onboard systems. Icomera is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. www.icomera.com
About ENGIE Ineo
As a creator of solutions for connected urban areas and neighbourhoods (electrical solutions, communications and information systems), ENGIE Ineo has more than 15,000 employees working to meet the needs of a changing world. In 2017, it reported revenues of €2.4 billion.
With a network of 300 facilities in France and abroad, ENGIE Ineo’s teams innovate to support their customers in the energy and digital transition. They support them in transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures projects, service sector and industrial projects, as well as security and defence projects. From design through to production, maintenance and operation, ENGIE Ineo’s experts imagine and anticipate tomorrow’s needs by developing solutions combining technical and cost-effective performance. ENGIE Ineo is part of the ENGIE Group, one of the leading energy companies worldwide.
About London North Eastern Railways
London North Eastern Railways (LNER) operates the InterCity East Coast franchise, providing services on the UK’s East Coast Main Line. With a route totalling 936 miles, LNER trains call at 53 stations, connecting passengers travelling from London Kings Cross to hubs in the north of England and Scotland. www.lner.co.uk
