The Government of Canada and VIA Rail Canada announced this week that Nomad Digital has been selected to enhance Wi-Fi service for customers on VIA’s Ontario – Quebec Corridor passenger trains.  Under the five-year, $6.3 million contract, Nomad will design, install, operate, and maintain the Wi-Fi infrastructure for VIA Rail, which will keep passengers connected and entertained throughout their journey. The federal government is providing capital funding for this project, including $3 million through its Economic Action Plan.

The award to Nomad follows a successful trial, which has seen the company’s solution extensively tested in the Corridor since the spring of 2010. The deployment uses 802.11n technology, for the highest speed wireless ethernet backbone along the train cars, in VIA's dynamic consists. It is the first such deployment anywhere in the world, supporting the bandwidth demands of VIA's passenger internet service, and its’ operational applications.

This is also the first time Nomad’s unique bandwidth aggregation software has been deployed in Canada – an algorithm which uses multiple cellular datacards from all three major Canadian network operators at the same time, for the optimum passenger WiFi experience.

When Nomad’s solution is fully implemented, the infrastructure will allow VIA to offer additional value-added services to customers, like on board entertainment, and provide a wireless platform for VIA’s on-train personnel.  Design and installation of the enhanced service will commence shortly and continue through much of 2011.

“Reliable mobile internet access has become an essential part of daily life for many Canadians, especially for business travelers,” said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Canada’s Minister of State, Transport. “This is an important step to ensure that Canada’s passenger rail service responds to their needs.”

VIA president Marc Laliberté noted that “VIA was one of the first passenger services in North America to provide on-board Wi-Fi access to customers.  Now we are upgrading that service with the latest wireless technologies, higher network speeds and a consistent broadband connection. This means that passengers will soon be able to enjoy feature films, television series and documentaries from the comfort of their seats, using their own laptops, for their entire trip.”

Nigel Wallbridge, Nomad’s Executive Chairman, said: “This is another significant milestone for us in the North American market. In a few short years, on-train Wi-Fi has become the norm for rail operators and Nomad’s systems are proving to be the preferred solution to deliver a first class service on all types of route. We are committed to ensuring that VIA’s customers will enjoy the best possible Wi-Fi experience while traveling by train.”

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Media: For further information contact Maria Walker on +44 (0)207 096 6966 Ext 2083 or +44 (0)7889 363193

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation to Canadian travellers in both official languages (French and English). Every week VIA operates 503 intercity trains, as a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports. VIA safely transports over four million passengers annually.