News

Ulster Says “Nomad”

(28 Feb 2017, BWCS Staff)

UK-based supplier of on-train WiFi services Nomad Digital has announced a tie-up with Translink Group, Northern Ireland’s main public transport operator. According to the Newcastle tech company, the deal encompasses putting its WiFi solution onto trains and buses across the six counties.

The agreement essentially involves an extension of Nomad’s current contract to provide WiFi on Translink trains, plus a new deal which will see it extend on-board WiFi to cover the Northern Irish operator’s fleet of buses, coaches, and new high-quality rapid transit vehicles. Nomad’s services will effectively cover all three of the component parts of Translink: Metro, Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways.

Ulsterbus is responsible for some 1,100 vehicles and Northern Ireland Railways runs trains along 204 miles of track around NI, while Metro, which operates buses in Belfast, has around 175 double decker buses and 100 single deck vehicles. In total, Nomad says, it has signed up to provide Translink’s WiFi requirements for the next five years across the rail and bus fleets. This builds on the four-year long association it has with Translink trains.

Nomad says it will deploy its R4500 series across Translink’s fleets. This, it argues, will create common, consistent product family, generating operational efficiencies and cost savings. The new, integrated next-generation modems and access points will offer Translink a scalable, future-proofed solution. Nomad says it will develop a local team to help support Translink.

In December last year it was announced that Nomad, one of the pioneers of on-train WiFi services, was to be bought by French transport group Alstom. Nomad has retained its brand name and appears likely to continue operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The expanding market for on-board WiFi services as well as the problems of intermittent mobile coverage, proposed trackside solutions and other issues will all be covered in this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference hosted by BWCS. For more information on next year’s event please see www.Traincomms2017.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com .



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