Moovera Networks has announced that
Arriva Scandinavia A/S has selected the award-winning Moovbox M Series
Mobile Broadband Gateway to deliver Internet connectivity on trains running
across Denmark.Arriva has equipped an initial twenty-nine trains serving
commuters traveling between Aarhus, Thisted and Tnder in Jutland, and will
provide free Wi-Fi hotspot services to passengers.  Arriva will also
utilize the Moovbox for GPS-based automatic vehicle location (AVL) to keep
track of the train fleet via Moovera’s MoovManage centralized monitoring
system.  Arriva is the top performing rail operator in Denmark, carrying
more than 7 million passengers each year with 97% reliability.

“We are continually seeking new ways to improve the quality of rail travel
in Denmark,” said Johnny Hansen, Managing Director of Arriva Scandinavia.
“We believe that the introduction of broadband services on our trains in
Jutland today will enhance the passenger experience and provide a useful
and productive way for our customers to spend their journey time.”

 

The Moovbox M Series delivers Wi-Fi Internet access on the Arriva fleet of
Alstom Cordia Lint trains at speeds up to 7.2 Mbps by creating a bridge
between the train and a next-generation 3G HSPA (High Speed Packet Access)
cellular broadband network from 3 (www.3.dk). The Moovbox offers Ethernet
connectivity for in-train systems such as CCTV and telematics data, and
includes built-in GPS for real-time fleet tracking.  The cost of the
deployment will be partially underwritten by advertising on the Wi-Fi
hotspot landing page that users see when they access the Internet service.

 

“This is a landmark deployment for Moovera as it is our first major
installation with a national rail network operator,” said Jim Baker,
Moovera CEO and founder.  “We have an established reputation as a leading
provider of Internet access systems on buses, coaches and ferries so it was
only a matter of time before we encompassed trains as well.  Many of our
large transportation customers who use the Moovbox mobile broadband gateway
on their bus fleets also own train operations, so it is a natural
progression for them to use tried and tested Moovbox technology to deliver
Wi-Fi services to rail passengers.”  Passenger Internet access on public
transit is the fastest growing venue type for Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide,
with 238% growth in the number of online sessions between H2 2006 and H2
2007.  Europe was the fastest growing market with 142% growth during the
same period (source: iPass, March 2008).

 

Arriva Scandinavia awarded the contract for in-train broadband to Network
Zone Relations (NZR), Moovera’s representative in the region and a
specialist in wireless communication systems.  “Arriva’s roll-out of Wi-Fi
for rail passengers is a clear indication of the importance broadband
access has in today’s train industry,” said Louis Preben Nezer, CEO of NZR.
“Our winning proposal included free Wi-Fi hotspots supported by
revenue-generating advertising; looking to the future, trains with
broadband connections will also be able to serve streaming media and other
forms of passenger information and entertainment material.  The Moovbox is
the gateway for this type of dynamic content and we look forward to working
with Moovera on similar projects throughout Scandinavia and the EU.”

 

The Moovbox mobile gateway is a ruggedized Wi-Fi access point and cellular
router, offering multiple wide area network (WAN) radios for automatic
failover between carriers, and featuring built-in GPS for real-time
positioning.  Moovbox products also offer secure Ethernet for IP-CCTV, DVR
and telematics equipment with remote in-bound access for device control,
and supports plug-and-play upgradability to future technologies such as
WiMAX and LTE.      The multi-user MoovManage service provides real-time device
tracking, schedule adherence monitoring, remote device configuration, and
Wi-Fi portal and usage statistics.  The Moovbox M Series was judged ‘Best
Wi-Fi Product’ in the Wireless Broadband Innovations Awards 2008.

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