NSB announce complimentary WiFi service on all regional trains.
Event Date: 10 November 2010
NSB (Norges Statsbaner) this week re-launched its on-board WiFi internet service as a complimentary offering on its regional train services. From 10th November, passengers on Norway’s national rail network can now access the internet on the move for free, thanks to the upgraded service.
A press conference took place on Tuesday, 9th November in Oslo, when the Minister for Transport and Communications, Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa, CEO of NSB, Einar Enger and Director General of Jernbaneverket (JBV), Elisabeth Enger, gathered at Oslo's National Theatre station to mark the event. The visit was arranged to feature an upgrade to provide 3G coverage in the tunnels around Oslo, thereby boosting performance of the WiFi internet service at the same time.
Also present at the launch was Bimal Shah, Chief Financial Officer at Nomad Digital Limited, who have been providing NSB with its train to shore connectivity solutions since 2008. Their innovative applications on NSB trains include passenger internet access and personalised passenger information delivered via the WiFi system, detailing real journey time and key destination information.
Nomad’s solutions are ideal for the Norwegian rail network, with its fluctuating mobile network coverage and tunnelled tracks. Passengers currently enjoy a connection speed of up to 5 megabits per second; the planned introduction of Nomad’s aggregation technology will soon see this increase to over 10 megabits.
The re-launch of on-train internet as a complementary service marks phase two of a rollout programme for NSB. Travellers on the route between Skien and Lillehammer will be the first to have access to the free service, with installation being rolled out on all other regional trains throughout 2011.
The Norwegian operator is taking a holistic approach by looking at the Nomad platform as a vehicle for further onboard applications, such as integrated CCTV and on-train condition based monitoring.
Einar Enger, CEO of NSB said “After completing a successful pilot project offering our customers internet access on selected train services, NSB has decided to launch free internet access to all of our customers on regional train services. We hope that this will also be attractive to business travellers and tourists alike.
Bimal Shah remarked: “We are delighted to be strengthening our relationship with NSB by providing an extremely valuable platform on which can be built more sophisticated onboard train systems management, aimed at reducing operational costs. We look forward to continue working with NSB in the years to come.’’
Media: for further information, contact Maria Walker on +44 (0)207 096 6966 Ext 2083 or +44 (0)7889 363193
