News

Engie Ineo buys Icomera

(01 Jun 2017, BWCS Staff)

The nascent market for on-train WiFi services seems to be attracting some larger investors these days. Following the news earlier this year that Alstom had taken over Nomad Digital, yesterday saw the announcement that French energy company Engie has purchased Icomera, via its subsidiary Engie Ineo.

The move seems to make good strategic sense for the Paris-based company. Over the years Engie has provided electrification, signalling and telecoms equipment for around 12,000km of rail and 1,800 light rail tramways. It is also responsible for the operational assistance and passenger information systems on some 35,000 buses. According to the company, buying Icomera will help its ambition to make mobility “cleaner and smarter”.

Founded way back in 1999, Icomera has been one of the fore-runners in developing on-board WiFi solutions and related services such as passenger entertainment and real-time information systems. It boasts an impressive list of train and bus customers in the UK, Sweden and around Europe and the rest of the world.

Commenting on the deal, Engie Ineo CEO Yann Rolland said: “For several years we have been strongly focusing our transport solutions on digitalisation and on-board solutions. Icomera provides a smart, connected and innovative complement to our current range of solutions, with, in addition, an enhancement of service for the operator, an unparalleled diversity of applications and optimal user convenience for passengers.” He went on, “With this acquisition, Engie Ineo completes and enriches its offer and reinforces its ambition in the technological environment of transport.”

Meanwhile, Karl-Johan Holm, President and CEO of Icomera Group, commented “Icomera and Engie share a common vision for a new world that is safer, with more appealing public transport. Given today’s challenges, this has never been as important. By combining our organizations and joining our efforts, we are accelerating the achievement of connected journeys around the world.”

Trackside networks, the growing market for on-train passenger WiFi services and on-board entertainment will all be fully examined at this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference hosted by BWCS. For more information on the upcoming event please see www.Traincomms2017.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com  

This year's Train Communications System Conference is sponsored by Icomera (Gold), Nomad Digital (Silver), Fluidmesh (Bronze), 21Net (Cocktails), LetsJoin (Lunch Day 1) and RADWIN (Lunch Day 2).

 



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