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Companies partner to provide WiFi platform for rail operators, offering seamless rollout, management, and support of onboard service
January 20, 2004
LONDON -- PointShot Wireless, a developer of mobile Wi-Fi solutions, and Broadreach Networks Limited, the fast-growing provider of broadband Internet access for people on the move, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver high-quality Wi-Fi services to the UK rail industry. Together, the companies will offer rail operators a comprehensive and proven Wi-Fi platform to ensure the seamless rollout, management and support of onboard wireless Internet services.
According to industry analyst firm BWCS, by 2008, rail passengers will spend $420 million per year on in-transit Wi-Fi services, and within five years, rail passengers will use the service on almost one billion journeys each year. PointShot Wireless and Broadreach will address this sizeable market opportunity by combining PointShot's knowledge of train operator requirements for passenger and back office mobile Wi-Fi applications with Broadreach's market-leading expertise in broadband Internet access and ISP/Mobile roaming technology. In addition to joint development of products and services, the firms will collaborate on marketing, business development and customer support.
Broadreach Networks is one of the UK's public Internet access pioneers, forging relationships with mobile operators, ISPs and other service providers to ensure that people can have Internet access based on personal choice of place, device and payment method. Initially Broadreach will focus on the UK rail industry, where it already has a number of customers. Broadreach recently signed deals for access to over 370 stations across the United Kingdom, including the major London terminals.
"Our commitment to Internet access on the move is supported by commercial backing from leading names in the technology and travel businesses in the United Kingdom such as Virgin, BT and Intel Capital," said Magnus McEwen-King, Broadreach CEO. "It quickly became clear that no other supplier could match PointShot's achievements in terms of deployments of on-train Wi-Fi. Broadreach's partnership with PointShot means that rail operators need only deal with one company to install hotspots on trains and in stations."
PointShot Wireless is the world leader in deployed rail Wi-Fi hotspots. Its technology is deployed on both inter-city and commuter trains in partnership with large service providers in North America. RailPoint(TM) is a mobile wireless solution that lets rail operators enhance their services to loyal and new travellers. The product increases yield and generates new revenue streams by offering differentiated on-board connectivity, communication and content services. RailPoint also enables new business applications, including onboard communication with passengers, real-time ticketing and advanced security features.
PointShot Wireless President and CEO Shawn Griffin said, "We've been watching the development of Wi-Fi in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe very closely. Our successful trials in North America have proven that profitable Wi-Fi services can be realized when targeted at the business traveller and mobile consumer. We chose to partner with Broadreach because of the company's commitment to the rail market, its extensive customer base and its experience and innovation in wireless Internet services."
Broadreach Networks Ltd.
PointShot Wireless Inc.
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