British on-train infotainment provider GoMedia has announced a deal with Swiss National train operator SBB. Passengers travelling with SBB will now be able to receive passenger information services (PIS) throughout their journey. Initially at least, the free service will only be available on the operator’s international fleet of trains across Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France.
The roll out of services, which started last month, will also enable customers to use GoMedia’s onboard entertainment platform to access up-to-date journey information such as the live train times, next station, live mapping and train speed as well as a range of films, TV shows, games and magazines.
GoMedia says that there will be a wide selection of films and TV shows available on-board, all licensed from MPLC Switzerland. In addition, it will offer films from local and regional content providers and distributors such as Filmcoopi, Praesens, Red Bull and Pathé. Titles include the 1956 black and white classic ‘Heidi’, Sorrentino’s masterpiece ‘La Grande Bellezza’ and ‘Deepwater Horizon’. There is a selection of daily newspapers as well as local and international news channels.
Roger Matthews, managing director at GoMedia, says: “This deal marks a proud moment for GoMedia, launching with SBB, one of the continent’s leading train operators. We’re excited to build upon our work with PIS in the UK, and bring real-time journey information to European travellers, allowing them to feel more informed about their journey, and in turn, improving the customer experience.”
The portal is reached via passengers’ own devices and is custom-designed with SBB’s branding. Content is accessible in four languages; German, French, Italian and English.
Due mainly to the excellent 4G coverage along the Swiss rail network – 97% due to rise to 99% by the end of 2021and to the number of trains that already have 3G and 4G mobile signal amplifiers fitted, SBB has taken the decision not to offer WiFi at all on its domestic routes. Instead passengers will have to rely on their own mobile data connections if they wish to surf the Internet whilst on board.
However, the company offers a new service, FreeSurf, so far available its long-distance routes, it effectively allows passengers to hook up to their mobile operators and use data for free for the duration of their journey. They can access this by downloading an app provided by the train company. Effectively, SBB will pay the data charges. Should the technical pilot go well and the solution is accepted by the customer, SBB will introduce SBB FreeSurf on all of its major routes.
On-train WiFi services, trackside networks, the growing market for passenger WiFi and on-board entertainment will be the main subjects of BWCS’s WiFi on Trains Conference later this year. For information on speaking and sponsorship opportunities at the 2020 event, please fill out the enquiry form.
Please sign up at www.Traincomms.com for the conference brochure.
The 2020 conference is sponsored by Icomera, Nomad Digital, Xentrans, Fluidmesh and RADWIN.
Also, for Wireless Suppliers who may be interested, BWCS has launched a brand new conference on the growing market for private wireless networks and 5G services at Ports – please see www.PortComms2020.com where the full programme is now available.