Nomad Digital wins prestigious contract for provision of broadband services to NS Intercity Trains.
Event Date: 03 December 2009
London, UK, 26th November 2009: Nomad Digital, a global leader in broadband data solutions to the transportation sector, has secured its largest ever contract to provide broadband services to NS Intercity trains in the Netherlands.
In one of the biggest such contracts ever awarded, Nomad, working with T-Mobile, will provide passenger information services and passenger WiFi services, as well as design, operate and maintain the underlying ICT infrastructure on NS trains.
This five-year contract – with an option for a further five years – will initially see services deployed on 187 intercity trains and eventually 365 making approximately 600,000 journeys every day.
At the heart of the solution is the Nomad R3500 mobile broadband gateway which will provide seamless connectivity across multiple 3G networks. The modular design of the R3500 will enable NS to utilise emerging networks whilst its scalability will provide a platform for further NS on-board applications such as CCTV, passenger counting and other applications aimed at reducing operational costs.
Passenger Information services will include provision of real-time train arrival and connection information from on-board monitors and automated PA. The WiFi service will initially be free of charge to stimulate usage.
Jacques Huberts, chief executive NS passenger division, said: “Our customers require accurate travel information in the right place. We have learnt from customer research that on-board internet would be highly appreciated. We are happy to announce that, together with our partners T-Mobile and Nomad Digital, we can meet this need.’’
Nigel Wallbridge, Nomad founder and executive chairman, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this contract. NS is one of the most progressive train operators in the world and we are delighted to be working with them on such a forward looking communications network. This is one of the biggest contracts ever awarded for internet-based passenger services and, not surprisingly, competition was fierce. “We believe that the quality of our technical solution, combined with our industry knowledge, were significant factors in our success. We are now focussed on delivery of the solution in a timely fashion and on helping NS improve on-board passenger experience.’’
This significant contract award follows on from the recent “go live” announcements of Nomad services on Norwegian Railways and the Dubai Metro, as well as the extension of Nomad WiFi to additional Virgin routes in the UK.
- ends -
Media: for further information, contact Peter Jackson on +44 (0)5602 468124
Notes to Editors About Nomad Digital UK based Nomad Digital is a privately owned company which was formed in early 2002 by Graeme Lowdon and Nigel Wallbridge. Nomad Digital is focused on the provision of specialty mobility networks and was first company in UK to trial WiFi on board trains. Nomad has developed the world’s first deployment of a communication system to trains using IEEE802.16 (WiMAX) and is the largest operator of a pre-WiMAX network in the UK. (www.nomadrail.com)
