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AUG 2006
UK TECHNOLOGY company Nomad and Intel® Solution Services have successfully performed the first US high speed broadband communication with a moving train in Silicon Valley, home to much of the world's IT industry.
Working with Caltrain, which operates trains between San Francisco and San Jose, the two companies demonstrated their technology along a 16-mile section of track.
It allowed several people to simultaneously surf the internet, watch streaming video and complete large file download, while maintaining continuous connectivity at broadband speed.
Now Caltrain is seeking funding to roll out the system along the full 50 miles of track to provide its 35,000 passengers daily - among the most technologically sophisticated in the world, commuting to world famous high-tech and bio-tech companies - with broadband connectivity. ``For some time Caltrain has been looking for a way to provide uninterrupted high-speed wireless access for its passengers,'' said Randy Rudolph, director of information technology and telecommunications, Caltrain. ``With Nomad's cutting edge WiMAX-based technology and the successful trial completion, we can now move forward with plans to implement a wireless network along the entire rail mainline.''
Nomad Digital's system works by connecting the train to Redline AN50e wireless base stations along the track. This means the train runs along a corridor of wireless coverage, allowing information to be sent and received at speeds 25 times faster than domestic broadband internet access.
The system is unique in that it provides continuous high speed coverage, even through tunnels and on underground sections of track. The high bandwidth allows innovative applications such as real time CCTV to be implemented. The seamless broadband network based on WiMAX technology from Redline and Nomad's mobility software allows Caltrain customers to work from their laptops and turn commuting time into productive office time.
North East of England based Nomad has already partnered T-Mobile to provide broadband to UK train operator Southern on its London to Brighton line. Nomad chief executive Graeme Lowdon said: ``This marks another milestone for Nomad. We have successfully operated the system in the UK for more than a year now, but US standards differ from European ones so some adjustment was required. It is great that a UK company can take its technology right into the heart of Silicon Valley and be the first with that technology. ``We are seeing increasing interest in our system worldwide. Not only have we established it on Southern's route and proved it in California, we are also exploring deals in China, India and the Middle East. ``The system has enormous potential applications beyond providing passengers with an enhanced travelling experience. It also opens up huge opportunities for developing railway maintenance and control and, with applications such as real-time CCTV, it can be a powerful security tool.''
The successful California trial comes only a week after Nomad raised £8m in a deal with Amadeus Capital Partners and T-Mobile Venture Funds to fund its expansion.
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Notes to editors:
WiMax is a fixed-wireless technology based on the 802.16 standard, allows for high speed connectivity of up to 49 Mbps bi-directionally to and from the train.
UK based Nomad Digital is a privately owned company which was formed in early 2002 by Graeme Lowdon and Nigel Wallbridge. Nomad Digital is focussed on the provision of wireless connectivity services and was first company in UK to trial WiFi on board trains. Nomad was also the first company in the UK to provide a commercial WiFi Hotspot Kit solution and also the first company in UK to offer payment for WiFi via a mobile phone. Nomad have developed the world's first deployment of a communication system to trains using IEEE802.16 (WiMax) and are the largest operator of a pre-WiMax network in the UK. For more information relating to Nomad Digital and its services, please visit www.nomadrail.com
Intel Solution Services, which is Intel Corporation's worldwide consulting organization, focuses on driving business transformation and competitive advantage through the practical application of new technologies, giving municipalities and organizations the confidence to innovate. Intel Solution Services has architected a number of successful wireless initiatives around the world to help organizations and municipalities reach new customers, provide better services, and cut costs.