Nomad Digital extends deal with Canada’s national rail operator

Newcastle firm Nomad Digital has signed a five-year extension with Canada’s national rail operator, VIA Rail to deliver its WiFi, media and entertainment platform.

The agreement, follows a previous five-year contract, and will cover VIA Rail’s full passenger rail fleet, catering for more than 1.5m passengers every year.

Nomad Digital provides passenger and fleet connectivity solutions to the railway industry.

Its on-board Wi-Fi and entertainment platform delivers a host of passenger information, media and infotainment, including movies, news and sport.

This is loaded on to the company’s open connectivity platform before being accessed via a customer portal that means passengers can stream high-quality media content on multiple fixed and hand-held devices.

The solution not only ensures not only a high quality on-board passenger experience, but also allows VIA Rail to compete with aviation operators in the Canadian transport market.

As part of the partnership, several technicians will provide dedicated on-the-ground engineering maintenance expertise.

Nomad’s other key customer service centres in the US and the UK will provide additional ancillary support.

Damian Bryant, Nomad Digital CEO & President (Americas Region), said: “We are delighted to continue our very strong relationship with VIA Rail. It now means that our system will run on their national fleet for over 10 years – a resounding endorsement of VIA Rail’s faith in Nomad and our solutions.”

Founded in 2002, Nomad offers both train operators and train builders a wide range of services designed to significantly enhance passenger experience.

The company, regarded as the pioneer of the so-called Networked Train, works with more than 80 major customers in over 40 countries throughout the world, including Alstom, Bombardier, Hitachi, Eurostar, Virgin and Amtrak.

An international business, it has sales and service centres throughout the globe, as well as product development facilities in Newcastle, Germany and Portugal.

Nomad’s technology is used by 1.7bn passengers annually, having been added to more than 100 fleets across more than 17,000 vehicles.

In the UK, its passenger Wi-Fi services are deployed on 75% of all WiFi-connected trains.

The company likewise has a market share of almost 50% of connected vehicles in the international heavy rail sector.