NSB
2009
Norges Statsbaner (NSB) is Norway's largest passenger railway company. Owned by the Government of Norway, NSB serves over 52 million passengers a year, both intercity and regionally. In order to serve its passengers better, NSB required a broadband train connectivity solution for a host of benefits including passenger internet, on board entertainment and operational applications.
The solution also needed to enable the ability for the moving train to switch between a number of different of mobile operators including nation-wide broadband 450 MHz coverage outside of 3G coverage in urban areas. NSB also required a system that could be upgraded in future to be able to switch to proprietary radio such as WiMAX. Timescales for the solution involve a fleet wide rollout for delivery by 2012 for existing rolling stock. In addition NSB have ordered 50 new Stadler trains to be scheduled for delivery starting in 2010, which will also arrive fitted with the Nomad solution.
Following Nomad's experience on the Heathrow Express and Southern services in the UK where a WiMAX network was deployed by Nomad as part of its overall WiFi solution, Nomad was selected by NSB as part of a formal tender process. Due to Norway's challenging topography where mobile signals can be intermittent, Nomad's ability to maximise available radio networks and bandwidth in conjunction with its WiMAX network know-how, was seen as critical in order to provide a robust passenger experience.
In additional to the platform to deliver passenger internet access, NSB also required a portal where passengers can log on to and gain real time information about their journey, including key information about the destination that they are heading to. For the first time anywhere on any train service globally, Nomad has supplied NSB with the ability for adding entertainment onto their portal so that passengers can enjoy films, games or music whilst on inter-city or commuter journeys. Content for the entertainment portal is stored on the on-train server and manageable remotely in order to update new and remove old content.
Due to the consistent effort of Nomad and NSB, now passengers have a much improved experience through on-board WiFi and entertainment applications. These services will enable passengers to use the commute time better for working and sending email correspondence. NSB will also have access to enhanced operational benefits to improve real time security and operational benefits, in order to reduce costs and improve their business efficiencies.
