News
Icomera Swallows Moovera
(22 Jul 2008, BWCS Staff)Swedish on-train WiFi service provider Icomera is to take-over UK-based mobile internet service supplier Moovera Networks for an undisclosed fee. The two companies made the announcement this morning. Icomera believes that the addition of Moovera's low-cost, multi-radio, Moovbox products will help widen its net of customers as it seeks to expand further into the bus, car, train and ferry markets for on-board WiFi services. Moovera has won a string of contracts with UK bus operators and recently signed a contract with Arriva Trains in Denmark to supply on-board WiFi services.
Ola Sjölin, Icomera's CEO commented "The market for Internet connectivity on public transport is developing at a very rapid pace. Whether for WiFi hotspots, CCTV monitoring, vehicle tracking or streaming entertainment, real-time connections to buses and trains are increasingly in demand. Moovera has acquired a strong reputation in the industry as a developer of innovative yet price competitive technology and has established an impressive customer base that in many instances overlaps with our own. It was a natural progression for Icomera and Moovera to combine forces to offer a complete range of solutions from low-cost bus products to high-end systems certified for the railway industry. Moving forward we will continue to build on Icomera's position as the dominant force in on-board vehicle communications."
In addition to vehicular applications, Moovbox gateways have been used increasingly for public safety and outdoor municipal wireless applications, and by cellular network operators seeking to expand into WiFi hotspot services.
Founder and CEO of Moovera, Jim Baker said "For some time now Moovera and Icomera have been addressing the same markets from different directions. While Icomera has focused on sophisticated and complex rail systems, we have been targeting the broader market for Internet connectivity on road transport and outdoor networks. Many of the world's largest transport operators like National Express and First Group own rail and bus networks and are already deploying both Icomera and Moovera solutions; the merger of our two businesses will create a single supplier for our customers worldwide."
Following the acquisition, Icomera will adopt the Moovbox brand for its new combined product line and leverage Moovera's worldwide network of Channel Partners who sell and support Moovbox systems in their regional markets. Moovera CEO Jim Baker will take up the post of Chief Marketing Officer at Icomera.
Back