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Nomad Digital Delivers High Speed Internet Access to Caltrain Passengers

Posted on: Tuesday, 1 August 2006, 18:00 CDT

Nomad Digital Ltd in conjunction with Caltrain and Intel(R) Solution Services, today announced the successful completion of a "proof of concept" for a WiMAX-based technology that provides continuous high-speed Internet access for Caltrain passengers. This is the first instance of a trial for a mobile 802.16 WiMAX network, making Caltrain the first train system in the United States equipped with a wireless network.

The "proof of concept," which was conducted along 16 miles of track between the Millbrae and Palo Alto stations at travel speeds of up to 79 miles per hour, was deemed a success when multiple passengers simultaneously surfed the Internet, watched streaming video, answered e-mail and completed a large file download all while maintaining continuous connectivity at broadband speed.

"For some time, Caltrain has been looking for a way to provide uninterrupted high-speed wireless access for its passengers," said Randy Rudolph, director of information technology and telecommunications, Caltrain. "With Nomad's cutting edge WiMAX-based technology and the successful trial completion, we can now move forward with plans to implement a wireless network along the entire rail mainline."

Nomad's innovative mobile communication system links the train to trackside wireless base stations, with radios located every few miles along the rail for a reliable and seamless broadband connection to the internet. This unique network, based on WiMAX technology (IEEE 802.16/WiMAX), allows for a continuous broadband connectivity to trains traveling through tunnels and/or underground. Passengers can use their laptop to access the internet throughout a train journey without the need for additional plugs, wires, adapters, software, hardware or mobile phones. Caltrain operators also benefit from this technology as they are able monitor the performance of their trains, install real time security CCTV and locate all their fleet at any one time.

"There is a growing demand from business commuters for a data networking system on railway trains," said Dr. Nigel Wallbridge, executive chairman, Nomad Digital. "By combining our efforts with Intel, we were able to deliver a pioneering solution to meet these growing demands. Our high performance mobile networking technology gives passengers the luxury of turning commute time into productive office time. And what better place to bring this technology than Silicon Valley."

Nomad, which is based in the UK and with a technology development center in Canada, has successfully installed systems on railways in the UK and Holland. Nomad developed the fastest train-borne WiFi system in the world and is the largest pre-WiMax network operator in the UK.

This announcement comes shortly after Nomad had announced new funding of $14.8m to roll-out new networks. The money will be used to fund working capital in response to large worldwide demand for its networks. The company is currently working on potential projects in China, Hong Kong, the Middle East and South America. Nomad was also recently short listed to implement a trial on the Capital Corridor rail line, also in California.

About Nomad Digital

Nomad Digital is focused on the provision of wireless connectivity services and was one of the first companies in the UK to offer WiFi services such as hot-spot deployment and WiFi roaming services. For more information relating to Nomad Digital and its services, please visit www.uknomad.com

Source: Business Wire

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