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MAY 2008
WiFi provided free for all rail passengers
NOMAD Digital announced that it has partnered with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to launch of the first “free to all passengers” onboard WiFi wireless broadband network on a U.S. railroad.
Clair Fiet, UTA’s Chief Technology Officer, said “A high-speed and free WiFi Internet connection for passengers is a key part of getting people out of their cars and onto the train. Every day more and more of our customers are realizing that one of the many benefits of riding by train is that they can use their commuting time productively - whether it be for information, entertainment, or work – rather than focusing on the road.”
Nigel Wallbridge, Executive Chairman of Nomad said “It has been a pleasure working with UTA and Wasatch to deliver this project. Although we have delivered high speed Internet access to many trains in several countries, this UTA network is the fastest network that we have architected. Through the deployment of high-speed Redline WiMAX radios, and a trackside fiber network for the backhaul, we have created the fastest WiFi network in the world available to rail passengers. Taking advantage of a fiber optic network along the route, UTA’s wireless network is designed to give a premier Internet service to passengers as well as enable future plans for media delivery and other services.”
This is the first full-scale commercial roll-out for Nomad Digital in the US but the company anticipates many more. Ridership of public transit is rising rapidly in the US in response to high gas prices and the desire to reduce pollution. Providing passengers with Internet access provides people yet one more reason to switch from cars to the train.
Nomad is already well-established internationally, providing passenger broadband services to Southern Railways and to the Heathrow Express in the UK. It has also recently won the contract to design, construct and manage the world’s longest broadband corridor for Virgin Trains on the UK’s 600km London to Glasgow route, also in the UK. Nomad has also won the on-train and station internet service contract for the Dubai Metro and its most recent major win was for a nationwide rail network for the Norwegian State Railway.
About Nomad Digital
Nomad Digital, based in Newcastle, UK is the world leader in the provision of high speed broadband communication (including WiMax), to and from trains, with more references than any other provider. Nomad, which was founded in 2002 has made a significant contribution to the evolution of WiMax in the transport sector with services ranging from total funding, designing, building, operation and life time maintenance of networks to the provision of our unique on-board multi-bearer switching technology. Its project references include the first ever train broadband service, the longest in-tunnel reference and the largest WiMax roll out for the rail sector, in the world.
About Utah Transit Authority
Established in 1970, UTA has become a multi-modal transportation leader that is 100 percent accessible with 69 light rail vehicles, 30 commuter rail cars and more than 600 buses. UTA’s TRAX light rail system is currently averaging between 40,000 and 50,000 riders a day along its 15-mile Salt Lake-Sandy line and the 4-mile University Line. UTA is an ISO 14001:2004 9001:2000 certified agency. During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, UTA’s transit system was declared a great success on the international scene - carrying more than four million Olympic riders.
About Wasatch Electric
Founded in 1919, Wasatch Electric specializes in all types of electrical construction, including telecommunications, industrial, commercial, design-build, service/maintenance and transportation. The company also provides comprehensive operations and maintenance and electrical repair services. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wasatch is a wholly owned subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE:EME), a Fortune 500 company with over $4.7 billion in annual revenues and a global leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure, and facilities services. EMCOR gives life to new structures and sustains life in existing ones by its planning, installing, operating and maintaining the sophisticated and dynamic systems that create facility environments---such as electrical, mechanical, lighting, air conditioning, heating, security and power generation systems---in virtually every sector of the economy and for a diverse range of businesses around the world. EMCOR’s “knowledge in action” slogan reflects its rare combination of global reach with local execution, combining the strength of an industry leader with the knowledge and care of 26,000 skilled employees at 140 locations worldwide.
About Redline Communications
Redline Communications (www.redlinecommunications.com) is the leading provider of fixed and mobile standards-based wireless broadband solutions. Redline’s RedMAX™ WiMAX Forum Certified™ system, RedMAX 4C Mobile WiMAX™ products, and its award-winning RedCONNEX™ and RedACCESS™ families of broadband wireless infrastructure products enable service providers and other network operators to cost-effectively deliver high-bandwidth services, including voice, video and data communications. Redline is committed to maintaining its wireless industry leadership with the continued development of WiMAX and other advanced wireless broadband products. With more than 100,000 installations in 85 countries, and a global network of over 170 partners, Redline's experience and expertise helps service providers, enterprises and government organizations roll out wireless broadband networks to support advanced communications
Media Contacts:
In the USA Nigel Wallbridge of Nomad Digital on 403 616 2687
In Europe and ROW Peter Jackson of Press Ahead on +44 (0) 191 516 6235