[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4644&p=116&n=237

Free WiFi now on all Intercity trains - coming soon to DART, Commuter, Enterprise
09 July 2012

Iarnród Éireann has announced that all of the company’s Intercity trains are now equipped with free WiFi.

Already operating on services on the 67 carriages of the Dublin-Cork fleet since last year, the service has proven a huge hit with rail customers on the route. The equipping of the new 234-carriage Intercity railcar fleet, by Irish company FleetConnect, means that every Intercity route on the network now has free WiFi, covering:
- Dublin-Cork
- Dublin-Sligo
- Dublin-Westport
- Dublin-Galway
- Dublin-Limerick
- Dublin/Cork-Kerry
- Dublin-Waterford
- Dublin-Rosslare

One of the great benefits of rail travel is that you can use your travelling time productively, for work or leisure, and free wi-fi for customers will only add to this. Customers can use their smartphones, media devices, tablets, laptops and more while on their journey. Customers on the Intercity railcar fleet, which are now equipped with free wifi, also have plug sockets at every seat, so they can charge their devices as they travel for maximum convenience.

Iarnród Éireann is also planning to introduce wi-fi on the DART and Commuter fleet during the summer of 2012, with the support of the National Transport Authority. Furthermore, the company is working with Translink to equip the Belfast Enterprise train with wi-fi by the end of 2012.

This will make the Iarnród Éireann fleet one of the most wi-fi connected fleets in Europe, and is the latest phase in service improvements from the rail company.

Services are operated by the newest Intercity fleet in Europe, giving high standards of comfort on board.


Technology

Irish company FleetConnect has been chosen by Iarnród Éireann to provide broadband Wi-Fi services to its passengers on the Intercity railcar fleet, having already equipped the Dublin/Cork fleet. FleetConnect and its technology partner, Sweden-based Icomera AB, were selected to supply a complete internet access solution based on the market-leading Icomera X6 Mobile Access and Applications Router. The system is already installed on trains in the UK, Europe and North America.

FleetConnect and Icomera will be working with Iarnród Éireann to equip their trains with its industry-leading on-train broadband solution, which uses its patented SureWAN™ technology to seamlessly switch between and aggregate multiple mobile data networks to ensure always-on broadband connectivity in every carriage, for passengers, crew and onboard systems as the train moves through its journey.


Connecting to Free WiFi on Iarnród Éireann Intercity services

Connection to the system is easy, with on-screen assistance for customers on board. Simply turn on your laptop, connect to 'IRISHRAIL- WIFI' and open your internet brower.

Customers who encounter any problems can call the WiFi Support team on 01-8809600 (Monday-Friday 06.00 - 23.00) or email support@fleetconnect.ie