25.07.16
Chiltern becomes first TOC to launch continuously connected wi-fi
Chiltern passengers will be able to use free wi-fi from their arrival at a station to the end of their journey after the company became the first in the UK to introduce continuously connected wi-fi.
Passengers will only have to authenticate once to be able to access the network.
If they are on a train, their connection will ‘hand over’ between the train wi-fi and the station wi-fi as the train passes between stations, intended to improve connectivity and save costs.
Paul Bowden, acting commercial director of Chiltern Railways, said the new network was “next generation” technology allowing passengers “to be continuously connected to fast and reliable wi-fi”.
The new network is the result of a collaboration between three connectivity experts. WiFi SPARK provided the wi-fi infrastructure and service in stations, whilst Icomera – which has also signed an agreement to provide onboard wi-fi on Arriva trains – provided the onboard technology.
EE provided the connectivity for the onboard wi-fi and is currently working with Chiltern to upgrade trackside infrastructure.
Dean Moody, chief commercial officer for WiFi SPARK, said: “We knew that Chiltern Railways are innovators, they want to push to continually offer the best passenger experience and service that they can, which is why we worked closely with Icomera and EE and really challenged ourselves to design a solution that would deliver both a technically advanced solution and a world-class passenger experience.”
The TOC added that all data sent between the systems is fully encrypted for security and all Chiltern stations and trains are certified ‘Friendly WiFi’ locations, which block inappropriate sites.
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