CrossCountry announced yesterday it has signed a contract to install Wi-Fi on its long distance high-speed trains.
After an extensive search for the best and most appropriate system to meet its customers’ needs, the contract has been awarded to the experienced global supplier of on-train Wi-Fi solutions, Nomad Digital.
Work to install the system will begin early next year, with the five High Speed Trains (HSTs) being the first to be fully fitted by the spring.
The larger fleet of 57 Voyager trains will also be fitted out during 2012.
Commenting, CrossCountry’s managing director, Andy Cooper, said:
“I am delighted we have been able to find the best Wi-Fi system to meet the challenges of delivering consistent service on our trains as they travel across Britain.
“Despite the growing availability of 3G for personal communications we are satisfied that mobile broadband adds value to our customers’ journeys.
“CrossCountry customers will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of online connectivity when on our trains. The ability for our business and leisure customers to send and receive emails and browse the internet while on the move will further strengthen rail’s competitive advantage over using a car.”
Nomad’s CEO, Alexander Eriksen added:
“We are thrilled to have been selected as the Wi-Fi provider by such a prestigious company as CrossCountry, and look forward to working with them to deliver a first class service to their passengers.”
CrossCountry has been conducting a trial of different Wi-Fi systems throughout 2011 to ensure that the best system was chosen.
The unique characteristics of CrossCountry services, which travel from West Cornwall to North Scotland and the South Coast to the North West, meant the chosen system had to deliver reliable connectivity for customers on their journeys.
Nomad Digital was able to demonstrate they could deliver the best system to achieve this.
Wi-fi was supposed to be installed by 2010 – since then XC have been in breach of franchise.