Flytoget: IoT-Enabled Trains and High-Speed Connectivity
The Challenge
Flytoget identified onboard passenger Wi-Fi as being one of the most critical factors in improving passenger sentiment towards its high-speed airport shuttle service, as the previous Wi-Fi service did not meet passenger expectations at the time.
The Solution
Working as Flytoget’s Digital Partner, Icomera utilised its centralised connectivity platform to deliver improved onboard Wi-Fi through its award-winning X-Series mobile Internet connectivity & applications hosting platform.
The Results
Flytoget’s passengers benefit from a comfortable journey with high-speed, high-availability Wi-Fi for the duration of their trip, alongside real-time device health alerts, passenger occupancy status, and proactive network monitoring & support.
Key Icomera Solutions
Passenger Wi-Fi
Device Health Alerts
Vehicle Occupancy
About Flytoget
Flytoget, the Airport Express, is a Norwegian high-speed airport link which offers modern and comfortable transport from Oslo Airport at Gardermoen, to Oslo Central Station in only nineteen minutes, transporting 6.7 million passengers every year.
Flytoget services run every 10 minutes and they retain a punctuality rate of 97%, providing passengers with peace of mind that they will reach their destination on time. Flytoget and was voted Norway’s 2nd overall company for customer satisfaction in 2021.
High-Speed Wi-Fi for Norway’s Only High-Speed Trains
Icomera won the 2016 tender for providing high-speed Internet connectivity for Flytoget’s passengers and onboard systems and, once installation began, Icomera’s hardware platform only took a month to install and commission across all 16 GMB Class 71 EMU trainsets. The Wi-Fi went live in 2017 and was extremely well received by passengers.
Customers can now log into the network via a simple captive portal and are instantly connected to the highspeed onboard Wi-Fi, achieving peak speeds of around 200Mbit/s, even as the train travels at speeds of up to 210km/h.
Putting Passengers First
In 2016, Flytoget identified onboard passenger Wi-Fi as being one of the most critical factors in improving passenger sentiment towards its high-speed airport shuttle service, as the previous Wi-Fi service did not meet passenger expectations at the time.
Therefore, as part of its commitment to excellent customer service, Flytoget selected Icomera to act as a Digital Partner and to deliver improved onboard Wi-Fi through its award-winning X-Series mobile Internet connectivity & applications hosting platform.
Due to Flytoget’s dedication to improving the passenger experience, it saw a marked increase in passenger satisfaction levels and Flytoget has consistently been voted one of the top 10 overall companies in Norway for customer satisfaction since 2016.
This clearly demonstrates the value of placing the customer’s needs first, whether on the part of the passenger or the transport operator.
A Centralised Platform for IoT
At the heart of Flytoget’s onboard Internet connectivity is Icomera’s Multi-Radio Connectivity & Applications Hosting platform. To provide uninterrupted, high-capacity connectivity, Icomera’s onboard routers use SureWAN™: an advanced algorithm that allows the modems in the device to intelligently connect to multiple communications networks at the same time.
Specifically designed for public transport use, the SureWAN algorithm aggregates all available carriers and capacity along the route to accomplish maximum data throughput, coverage, availability, and redundancy, and to minimise data loss from handover.
Around 45% of the Flytoget route consists of tunnels, with 4G connectivity throughout. 5G connectivity is now being received in the longest section of tunnel.
With Icomera’s solution on Flytoget’s new Class 78 CAF Oaris fleet, both the operator and its passengers will be able to benefit from the best of both generations of wireless technology at the same time by seamlessly aggregating the capacity of all available 4G and 5G networks along the route.
Connecting Flytoget to Data as Passengers Get Connected to Their Flights
To enhance operational efficiency, Flytoget uses its Class 71 trains’ onboard connectivity to set up a Train Management System which feeds back to the operations centre in real-time. At a glance, Flytoget personnel can view overall train status, locations, door status, health monitoring for onboard components, as well as a full train diagnostic system with error codes and alarms from multiple trains at the same time.
To proactively make the most of the data from their trains, Flytoget have opted for an innovative, software-based approach to train diagnostics and reporting by running IoT edge applications on a virtual machine hosted on Icomera’s X-Series router.
By leveraging the processing power of Icomera’s onboard platform, Flytoget’s operations personnel can see alarms coming from each train, view alerts raised by train controllers, and can use this information to offer guidance to onboard staff.
The Operational data that is constantly being streamed from Flytoget’s trains is also useful for passengers looking to find the right train car for the most comfortable journey. Automatic Passenger Counting data is collected and transmitted in the form of a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) Status. This allows passengers to see live occupancy levels of each train car, as well as facilities for children, disabled access, and “quiet cars” for the most peaceful and relaxing journeys.
The Flytoget IoT Train
By leveraging the computing capabilities of Icomera’s X-Series onboard mobile connectivity & applications hosting router, Flytoget trains can support a wide array of systems, all powered by the onboard Ethernet backbone. In addition to providing a leading passenger experience by offering high-performance passenger Wi-Fi and luggage tag printers, the operational efficiency of Flytoget’s fleet is enhanced through the use of systems which include fibre network monitoring, train management systems, train diagnostics, passenger counting, and remote VPN startup & diagnostics to ensure that the service runs smoothly.
Flytoget is also able to increase revenue streams by offering advertising on monitors situated throughout the train, as well as providing departure information for passengers, which is updated after every journey. Each update requires around 400MB of data and would not otherwise be possible without consistent, high-capacity onboard connectivity.
To enhance operational efficiency, Flytoget uses its Class 71 trains’ onboard connectivity to set up a Train Management System which feeds back to the operations centre in real-time. At a glance, Flytoget personnel can view overall train status, locations, door status, health monitoring for onboard components, as well as a full train diagnostic system with error codes and alarms from multiple trains at the same time.
To proactively make the most of the data from their trains, Flytoget have opted for an innovative, software-based approach to train diagnostics and reporting by running IoT edge applications on a virtual machine hosted on Icomera’s X-Series router. Through the processing power of Icomera’s onboard platform, Flytoget’s operations personnel can see alarms coming from each train, view alerts raised by train controllers, and can use this information to offer guidance to onboard staff.
World-Class Network Monitoring & Support for Operators
Flytoget also gets the benefit of proactive, professional monitoring and support from Icomera’s Network Operations Centre (NOC).
The Icomera NOC is responsible for remotely monitoring the network in order to help maintain unbroken service coverage, resolving incidents in a timely manner, and contributing to a high-performance and high-availability environment.
Responding to client enquiries via phone, email, chat, and via Jira, Icomera’s support agents have the technical expertise to address complex and business-critical issues, quickly identifying the root cause of incidents and empowering continual service improvement.
This offers the dual advantages of increasing system uptime and service quality, while protecting a client’s brand image and investment.
Icomera’s regionally located NOCs use the world’s timezones to their advantage, following a “Chase the Sun” structure to maintain an uninterrupted service.
Icomera’s NOC agents handle critical operations with the utmost care, working to ISO 27001 best practices, and always keeping security front-of-mind.
What Flytoget Say
“Flytoget’s commitment to offering a relaxing, smooth, and timely journey is at the heart of every decision we make and offering our passengers a better digital experience plays a huge role in the achieving this. This multiple-stakeholder operation, encompassing numerous hardware and software vendors and mobile cellular network operators allows us to deliver a truly worldclass experience for our passengers.”
Leo Bull
IT & Technology Director, Flytoget
What We Say
“Icomera is delighted to continue acting as a trusted Digital Partner to Flytoget, leveraging our technology and expertise to find elegant technical solutions that help Flytoget maintain its high level of passenger satisfaction.
The value of Icomera’s centralised connectivity platform also extends far beyond just what is visible to passengers.
The same underlying technology which supports Passenger Wi-Fi and journey information also transmits data between devices and systems in operators’ vehicles and data centres, which in turn feeds back into a smooth, punctual service.”
Torsten John
Icomera’s SVP for EMEA Region
Read our Flytoget Brochure
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