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The Train in Spain to get WiFi (in the Main)
(07 Nov 2016, BWCS Staff)Spanish national train operator Renfe has been giving details about its much-vaunted plan to launch WiFi services on board the company’s high-speed AVE trains. The first route to benefit will be Madrid-Seville with the system due to go live on December 5th this year. The Barcelona-Madrid route is due to go into operation by April next year, with all 89 trains on the network connected by the end of 2017. AVE trains currently service five of Spain’s major cities, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Barcelona, and Valencia.
RNFE signed a ten-year contract with Telefonica to supply the on-train connections last year. At the time, Spanish daily El Pais reported that the deal was worth some €148.6-million. The former state-run entity beat off competition from Vodafone amongst others. El Pais also reported that the installation of on-train kit would set the train company back some €40 million. However, thinking ahead, RENFE says it sees the money spent as a “strategic” investment designed to attract more customers and help see of future competition.
RENFE claims that a “minimum” service (20Mb) will be available free to all passengers who sign up to the +Renfe scheme and those travelling “Preferente” (First) class with a high speed connection and 100 MG available for €4. The PlayRenfe premium service will be delivered via satellite connection and 4G and will offer films and television through a Movistar package.
Spain will join a handful of European countries to boast WiFi on their long-distance trains. On the services that do offer on-board Wi-Fi, it is generally only a free service to First Class passengers. Eurostar services between London, Paris and Brussels has free WiFi available for all classes on board, although the connection is patchy in some parts of the route.
The Spanish Government continues to invest heavily in high-speed rail. This year alone it is adding some 1,000km of new track allowing the AVE to reach eight further provincial capitals, including Zamora, León, Palencia and Burgos.
The spread of WiFi on trains around the world as well as the development of new on-board wirelessly-supplied services will be the main focuses of next year’s WiFi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2017. For information on sponsor and speaking opportunities at the 2017 event e-mail Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com or visit www.Traincomms2017.com .
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