|
May 02, 2006
London Conference to Promote Wi-Fi Access for Railway Passengers
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
The railways are moving into next generation technology. For the first time, train operators from all over the world will gather in
London this summer to hear from a selection of pioneers of broadband Internet access on trains. Organized by wireless consultancy BWCS, the two day vent will bring together all the main players in this sector.
The purpose of the conference is to address all the new technologies that are radically changing on-board train communications systems as well as to look at the opportunities that are being created.
Graham Wilde, CEO of BWCS, which itself has been heavily involved in various Rail Wi-Fi projects, noted that with rail companies now able to offer continuous, real-time access to the Internet from moving trains, operators are seizing new and dynamic ways to ensure their services are more efficient, secure, profitable and safe.
Referencing the conference, Wilde continued that on the one hand, this is a very specialized event. However, on the other hand, the response that BWCS has received shows that there is tremendous interest in this new sector. And, this interest is a lot more than just a few commuters checking their e-mails; these developments represent a radical rethinking of the role of telecommunications in rail businesses.
Qualcomm and SCI Solutions are both sponsoring this event. Contributions from GNER in the , Thalys of Belgium, SJ Trains in and NS from the
will be included as well as T-Mobile International, QinetiQ Rail, SCI Solutions, 21 Net and many others. Delegates already signed up represent , San Francisco and .
Event speakers are expected to provide first hand accounts of the problems and pitfalls that operators can encounter and explain how these can be avoided and overcome. The proponents of all the main wireless access technologies will debate their strategies and solutions as well as discuss the future development of the industry. BWCS has also commissioned exclusive research to aid these workshops, including passenger and user interviews.
The conference is expected to take place in
Central London on the 7th and 8th of June, 2006. For more information, go here.
With the extensive use of trains as a major source of transportation for professionals in and
Europe , this type of conference may be overdue. Like their American counterparts, these professionals require anytime access to information in order to conduct business while on the go.
Aside from the mobile professional, the trend for non-business passengers has also been a demand for more than the ability to check e-mail when access is available. These users also demand real-time access whenever and wherever they want it.
Both of these segments present tremendous opportunities for service providers. Railway operators can also ensure their survival by providing passengers with the technology the need while mobile.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.
(source: http://ipcommunications.tmcnet.com/news/2006/may/157284.htm)
|
|
Internet Telephony Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
CUSTOMER 
Cloud Computing Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
IoT EVOLUTION MAGAZINE
