The Cloud wins contract that could transform customers’ travelling experience
Train operators, First Great Western and First Great Western Link, have signed a contract with The Cloud to bring wireless Internet access to every one of its 85 stations. The scheme will benefit customers who make more than 60m journeys per year with the two operators.
First Great Western has been quick to respond to growing customer demand for WiFi, which allows customers to access the Internet in waiting areas and on platforms without having to plug in to a phone point. The availability of WiFi stands to significantly improve the travelling experience of customers allowing them to connect to the internet at high-speed to send and receive emails, surf the internet and download music and videos.
“WiFi is a service that customers have come to expect at travel hubs,” said George Polk, CEO, The Cloud. “This agreement will allow people to use dead time to get their work done efficiently, so they can really make the best use of their free time. Now, when you wait for your train in the morning, you can be writing your emails. You can download the latest ones before you get on the train, read and reply as you travel, and then send them off as soon as you arrive at your destination. Soon you will be able to do this on the train, but its still early days and the speed and service experience still need to be improved. Real, high quality service from the stations is an important first step.”
The Cloud recently announced its involvement in a rail consortium led by technology specialist QinetiQ to provide WiFi on trains. In time, the combination of being able to access the Internet in the station and on the train will make train travel still enjoyable and productive. The Cloud already has significant experience of deploying into rail stations, having installed WiFi connectivity across Sweden in partnership with the national rail operator.
“In addition to providing public wireless Internet access, The Cloud is committed to helping organisations leverage their infrastructure investments to streamline internal processes,” continued George Polk, CEO, The Cloud. “We are seeing an increasing number of facilities managers asking us to help them drive further value for their sites through applications as diverse as Chip and PIN, wireless security cameras and other private location based applications.”
Alison Forster, the Managing Director of First Great Western and First Great Western Link, said: “Our customer service initiatives such as completely no-smoking trains, mobile phone-free quiet carriages and on-train DVD rental have led the industry. This initiative will be of huge benefit to both business and leisure customers who need or want to access the web while using our stations.”
The deployments will go live at the first ten stations this summer; Reading, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Exeter St Davids, Bristol Parkway, Plymouth, Newbury and Slough.
Alison continued: “We want to ensure our customers can use their traveling time as productively as possible … this comprehensive station WiFi coverage is one element of that. In addition, we recently unveiled refurbished High Speed Train interiors including WiFi and will be using these as a basis for new look carriages should First win the Great Western franchise next year.”