New Train Communicatiosn Systems Blog

Since WiFi systems first crept on board Swedish Trains (SJ) and later GNER trains in the UK (a project BWCS was involved in), the idea of offering passengers wireless access to the internet has spread far and wide. Now there are some 18 deployments of on-train WiFi services around the world and the numbers are set to increase dramatically.

Despite the growing number of 3G dongles and smart-phones, passengers still want an on-board system that can offer them uninterrupted access to the internet. As Europe moves into an era of competitive train services and passengers all over the world are weaned away from increasingly expensive and time-consuming short-haul flights, many more train operating companies are examining the idea of installing on-board internet access for passengers.

For the last four years, BWCS has covered the development of this market in its annual Train Communications Systems Conference, held in June in Central London. Next year, 2010, looks set to be bigger than ever with a growing pool of train companies set to present on the launch of WiFi on-board services.

In between conferences BWCS has been working with some of the major train operators and rail authorities examining the current and future market for Train Communications Services. Currently we are working with the RSSB in the UK on a major project looking at the future demand for trackside broadband services in the UK over the next ten years.

During the course of this and other projects that we have worked on, it has become increasingly obvious that one of the main drivers behind the growth of train to shore wireless communications will be cost-saving services that can benefit the train operator. Indeed, we calculate that merely by introducing the wireless download of data from on-board engine monitoring systems alone could save UK train operators in the region of £60 million annually if adopted across all of their fleets.

Naturally hard-pressed train companies, anxious to improve efficiency, cut costs and increase safety are looking at these types of services very seriously. The purpose of this blog is to try to keep up-to-date with these new services, where they are being launched and how successful or otherwise they are.

We are very keen to hear form train companies and suppliers involved in this area, both from the point of view of featuring you in the blog and, perhaps, from inviting you to present at our next Train Communications Systems Conference, for information on how to either please contact Ross Parsons (Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com )

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