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On-Train WiFi User Numbers to Rocket - according to New Online Database
(11 Feb 2019, BWCS Staff)The number of passengers accessing WiFi on trains across Europe is set to soar to over 5.3 billion by 2028, almost five times the current total, according to figures from www.internet4trains.com, BWCS’ new online database launched today.
In 2018, the number of train travellers using on-board Internet services in Europe stood at just over 1.27 billion (12%) of the total and BWCS predicts that this will rise to over 5.3 billion (43% of total) within ten years.
However, the consultancy warns that without significant investment in many markets, the on-board WiFi services may fail to meet passenger expectations.
BWCS believes that a mixture of customer demand, competition and the arrival of new rolling stock will help boost the rate of on-train connectivity significantly. Yet, improvements must be made in all trackside wireless networks over the next ten years, to keep customers happy.
Internet4trains.com demonstrates that while some national train operators and their smaller rivals have fully embraced putting WiFi onto their trains, others are taking a more cautious approach or even by-passing it or ignoring it altogether.
According to Ross Parsons, Consultant with BWCS “The level of WiFi implementation varies enormously across Europe. It ranges from 100% of trains in Ireland, down to Belgium, where national train company SNCB has decided against launching any services. The UK, with 65.4% of train carriages offering WiFi, is one of the leaders in this sector – ranking seventh among European countries, but leading the major rail markets, such as France (22.9%), Germany (16.9%) and Italy (16.6%).” (Source: www.Internet4trains.com )
BWCS warned that the mere existence of on-train WiFi does not always equate to a high level of service, with coverage and download speeds euphemistically described as “mixed” across each market and the continent in general.
By 2028, as on-board WiFi becomes prevalent in regional and commuter train services across Europe, as well as the more common installations on long-distance and high-speed services, BWCS projects that 76% of all train carriages in Europe will be equipped to offer passenger WiFi, up from 30.6% in 2018.
www.Internet4trains.com is a continuously updated, online database covering a series of national markets for WiFi on Trains, the operators – established and emerging - as well as all of the major suppliers.
For the first time, BWCS has brought together all of its contacts, knowledge, research and reporting of this market in one place. The database covers all of the European markets for on-train WiFi services. In addition, China, India and the USA will be added in early 2019, and other markets included on an on-going basis.
BWCS is constantly monitoring developments in the WiFi on Trains sector within each national market. For more information about how to access our international database of interviews and market developments please see www.Internet4trains.com, or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com
On-board WiFi, trackside networks, the growing market for passenger WiFi services and on-board entertainment will also be the main subjects of BWCS’s WiFi on Trains Conference 2019 on the 4th and 5th of June.
For more information on the conference please see www.Traincomms2019.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com .
The 2019 conference (www.Traincomms2019.com ) is sponsored by Icomera, Nomad Digital, Fluidmesh, RADWIN and BAI Communications.
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