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Contact: Jonah Weinberg, 650.508.6238
Caltrain Succeeds With High-Speed Internet Connectivity
Caltrain, in conjunction with Intel® Solution Services and
Nomad Digital Ltd., is the first rail line in the country
to successfully complete a “proof of concept” for wireless
broadband access technology that provides continuous high-speed
Internet access along a rail line at travel speeds of up to
79 miles per hour. Other rail lines have provided wireless
Internet access based on slower communication technologies.
For some time, Caltrain has been seeking technology solutions for
providing high-speed wireless access that would give Caltrain
passengers uninterrupted Internet links onboard moving trains.
The proof of concept, which was conducted along 16 miles of track
between the Millbrae and Palo Alto stations, was deemed a success
when multiple people surfed the Internet simultaneously, watched
streaming video, answered e-mail and completed a large file download
all while maintaining continuous connectivity at broadband speed.
“Caltrain reinvented itself when it introduced faster train service,”
said Caltrain Board Chair Ken Yeager. “With this cutting edge
technology, Caltrain is poised for future success.”
A seamless broadband wireless network based on WiMAX technology
would be a significant customer enhancement because it would allow
Caltrain customers to work from their laptops and turn their commute
time into productive office time. Caltrain runs from San Francisco
through the heart of Silicon Valley, and its customers are very tech savvy,
commuting to well-known high-tech and bio-tech companies, as well as
world-class universities.
“Intel Solution Services is very pleased to be working collaboratively to
facilitate end-to-end WiMAX access in conjunction with Caltrain,” said
Vice President, Software & Solutions Group and Worldwide General
Manager of Intel Solutions Services Rick Echevarria. “Our commitment
to accelerating the adoption of innovative technology to deliver real value
to end users is exemplified in this project.”
Intel Solution Services, which is Intel Corporation's worldwide
consulting organization, focuses on driving business transformation
and competitive advantage through the practical application of new
technologies, giving municipalities and organizations the confidence
to innovate. Intel Solution Services has architected a number of
successful wireless initiatives around the world to help organizations
and municipalities reach new customers, provide better services,
and cut costs.
In addition to Intel Solution Services, major technology providers for
the proof of concept were United Kingdom-based train communications
specialists Nomad Digital, Sensoria Corp. of San Diego and Redline
Communications of Toronto.
Nomad provided its innovative mobile communication system which links
the train to trackside wireless base stations, with radios located every few
miles along the rail line. The company recently helped launch the world’s
first broadband wireless service on trains in the UK on the London to Brighton line.
Sensoria, a pioneer in wireless broadband mesh communications,
provided the wireless mesh routers which enables connectivity throughout
the train and serves as the WiFi access point within each car.
Redline Communications provided the radios that makes the connection
between the train and the trackside. The company is a supplier of
WiMAX equipment.
With the proof of concept successfully completed, Caltrain will continue
work on engineering that’s required before the wireless access can be
implemented along the entire rail mainline.
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Intel® Corporation contact: Mark W. Pettinger, 408.765.4970
Nomad Digital Ltd. contact: Nigel Wallbridge, 403.616.2687
Sensoria Corporation contact: Dave Gelvin, 858.673.4460 X12
Redline Communications contact: Carolyn Anderson, 905.479.8344 x333
07/31/06 - rph
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