First Great Western picks up speed with the cloud
First Great Western is enhancing 23 stations with the addition of free WiFi access. The WiFi is facilitated by UK public access WiFi provider, The Cloud, and will be available on station platforms, concourses and in waiting rooms.
The installations planned for March 2012, will introduce WiFi to 13 stations across First Great Western routes - including Oxford, Ealing Broadway and Maidenhead - with a network that will provide a fast internet connection, allowing customers to get online for travel information, reliable email access, and media streaming.
A revamp of existing Cloud WiFi installations is also planned for 10 further stations including Bristol, Reading and Bath.
In total, the 23 stations handle over 64million train journeys each year.
First Great Western Station Contracts Manager Robert Jackson, said:
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“Travellers now expect to be able to access the internet wherever they are, especially to pass the time during their commutes. The popularity of WiFi - as seen in stations with existing connectivity - made the decision to expand and upgrade a very easy one to make.”
“This deal with The Cloud enhances the WiFi network at those stations and extends it across many other busy stations, improving the service we provide to millions of passengers every year.”
Vince Russell, managing director at The Cloud, said:
“Millions of people received smartphones, tablets and e-readers for Christmas and will want to make the most of them on their commute. WiFi provides an excellent and consistent connection which, as many travellers will recognise, is not always possible when travelling across the country. This new deal with First Great Western will mean millions of extra travellers will benefit from The Cloud’s WiFi service.”