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Amtrak to Extend On-Board WiFi
(10 Mar 2010, BWCS Staff)Following the launch of WiFi services on its Acela trains running up and down the NE corridor in the US, Amtrak appears ready to take the service national. According to reports on the Muni-Wireless website, the train company has issued an RFP which will result in a selection of a set of vendors qualified to work on a task-order basis to install, operate and maintain WiFi, business services and passenger information services for Amtrak across the United States.
The train operator is keen to identify a "complete technology solution that will serve as an onboard communications platform." This, it seems, will include a "robust, self-healing, self-configuring, onboard network and associated equipment" that will form the foundation to support two primary services. These will be: WiFi for passengers and a secure WiFi channel for Amtrak business needs to support on-board transactions (such as ticketing or on-board sales). In addition, the system will be capable of supporting automated onboard electronic informational displays and announcements, content caching and delivery (for custom content as well as audio and video entertainment), and other business services.
Amtrak envisions that the Platform will include at its core a wireless and wired infrastructure, a communications control unit, and an off-board multi-technology communications system. The Platform will be supported through a hardened data center that will be capable of real-time monitoring and reporting on the Platform and related services.
The established Platform will be used as the basis for an ongoing national standard for all of the trains in the Amtrak fleet and, at Amtrak Rail Partners' option, for their fleets as well.
According to Muni Wireless the process will take the form of two RFQs and a national Request for Proposal (RFP). Amtrak will use the RFQs to select core national technology standards which will subsequently be procured and implemented through the National RFP.
The first RFQ will be for a Communications Platform, including Passenger WiFi and will seek responses from vendors for the on-board Communications Platform, including: onboard train communications network, WiFi for passenger and business use; and content caching and support for future applications.
The second RFQ, which will be issued shortly after the first, will be for an Onboard Train Information System (OTIS). This will use the platform selected from the first RFQ to provide automated on-board signage, announcements and end-of-car displays.
Following these two RFQs Amtrak will issue an RFP for Solutions Implementation; this will be a national task order which will establish master contracts with a series of installers who will, with participation of the core technology vendors, equip specific trains with the respective Communications Platform and OTIS systems.
The US train operator will be one of many from all over the world attending this summer's WiFi on Trains conference hosted by BWCS in June. For further information please contact Ross Parsons ([email protected] ).
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