News

WiFi on the Fly …

(19 May 2016, BWCS Staff)

In a move that echoes recent suggestions to use drones to supply on-train WiFi, a zoo in the UK has reportedly trained parrots to effectively become mobile WiFi hotspots. Chessington World of Adventure says it has enrolled two colourful Macaws to carry WiFi routers around the park. Dubbed “FlyFi” the birds are seen as an effective way to get Chessington’s new WiFi system off the ground.

The idea has echoes of suggestions, made last year that one way of covering track-side “not-spots” along UK and European rail systems would be to employ drones to relay mobile data signals to moving trains. As the industry collectively scratches its head about how best to boost train-to-shore connectivity, the idea of using unmanned aerial vehicles has gained some support – though no-one, so far, has suggested training birds to assist.

Speaking at last year’s Train Communications Systems Conference, Gavin James, the Project Sponsor for Digital Railways at the UK’s Department for Transport, threw open the question of how best to improve coverage and speed of broadband delivery to trains. He will report back on the findings from his 2015 “Call for Evidence” at this year’s event (www.Traincomms2016.com ).

Admittedly, the use of drones to follow trains around the network was one of the more left-field suggestions to emerge. However, it is not entirely implausible, despite possible clashes with the Civil Aviation Authority. In recent years, Facebook and Google have been among several big players to experiment with the use of drones and balloons to deliver faster broadband signals to outlying areas. Google executives have spoken at conferences about the use of “Project Loon” balloons which can offer impressive data coverage and stay aloft for up to six months. Facebook has also been testing the use of drones and balloons to offer new ways of covering rural areas.

Meanwhile, back at Chessington, the birds, which have lived in the park for over 20 years, seem quite at home with their new duties. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Chessington spokeswoman Megan Wilson said: "We only develop skills that are part of their natural abilities, for instance they are used to using their powerful claws to hold food during flight, and this can vary in weight.” Wary of ruffling bird-lovers’ feathers she added "We only ever use positive reinforcement in our training so Mojo was given a lot of his favourite treats while he learnt to carry the FlyFi device."

The expanding market for on-board WiFi services as well as the problems of intermittent mobile coverage, proposed trackside solutions and other issues facing the UK and the rest of the World will all be covered in this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference hosted by BWCS. For more information please see www.Traincomms2016.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com  .

The Conference is being sponsored by Icomera (Gold), Nomad Digital (Silver), BAI Communications (Bronze), 21Net, (Cocktails), Teldat (Lunch Day 1) and RADWIN (Lunch Day 2).



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