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    1. Technology

    New LNER Hitachi “Azuma” Fleet to be Installed with Next-Generation Icomera Passenger Wi-Fi

    Oct. 4, 2018
    London North Eastern Railways has chosen ENGIE group subsidiary Icomera to deliver state-of-the-art Passenger Wi-Fi to its new “Azuma” fleet of 65 Hitachi Intercity Express train sets.
    Related To: EQUANS

    London North Eastern Railways has chosen ENGIE group subsidiary Icomera to deliver state-of-the-art Passenger Wi-Fi to its new “Azuma” fleet of 65 Hitachi Intercity Express train sets. The project is due to be completed by early 2020 and, once ready, will cover LNER’s entire route, serving passengers traveling between London, Peterborough, the East Midlands, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow.

    To meet LNER’s ambitious project requirements, the trains will be among the first to be equipped with the next generation of Icomera technology. Firstly, Icomera will deploy its new 5G-ready X5 mobile access and applications router on board. Delivering LTE-A connectivity, the X5 is ideally suited to support future-proof mobile Internet solutions and offers a simple one-box approach for adding additional onboard systems and services, as and when required. Alongside this, Icomera’s SynAPse Access Points will also be installed on the LNER trains. These high-performance units comfortably meet the data-heavy requirements of today’s passengers and have been designed to allow the full potential of the onboard router to be realised in every carriage. This new hardware will be complemented by Icomera’s powerful suite of fully-integrated software tools, empowering LNER to remotely manage their solution for an optimal user experience.  

    The roll-out and upgrade program heralds an exciting new phase in Icomera’s on-going relationship with the InterCity East Coast franchise, having deployed its first UK Wi-Fi service on this same line in 2004.

    Aileen Jordan, director of Azuma at LNER, commented: “We are very excited to be working on this upgrade project together with Icomera. LNER’s new Azuma trains will revolutionise travel on the east coast, enabling us to provide our passengers with a consistently excellent onboard experience, and Icomera’s Passenger Wi-Fi service, delivered through their powerful hardware and connectivity platform, will certainly help enhance this.” 

    Dave Palmer, Icomera’s UK managing director, said: “Having worked together for many years, it’s a pleasure to continue our successful relationship with the team managing the InterCity East Coast franchise, one of the UK’s most important rail routes. For this roll-out, LNER have again demonstrated their willingness to seek forward-looking connectivity solutions and will be well-equipped to continue delivering an industry-leading Passenger Wi-Fi service in future.”