In brief
- Suitable for buses, coaches, taxis, limos and private hire vehicles
- Connect to carrier-class 3G/HSDPA/WiMAX broadband networks
- Free or Pay-per-use Wi-Fi hotspots on the move
- Connectivity for CCTV, DVR and telematics with GPS vehicle tracking
- Icomera solutions deployed by the UK's top five transport operators
- Broadband on-board
Cellular operators are busy rolling out networks that are capable of transferring data at brodband speeds in excess of 1 Mbps. These next-generation networks are available in many countries worldwide and, where coverage is available, offer transport operators the opportunity to deliver high-speed Internet connections to moving vehicles. The technology most commonly used to provide this service is WCDMA (3G) HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), although other technologies including mobile WiMAX and CDMA2000 are also supported. Typically download speeds of 1-2 Mbps are achievable in metropolitan and suburban areas and along major roads between towns and cities. Within a few years it is expected that speeds will increase to over 5 Mbps comparable to a wireline home or business broadband connection today. The availability of high-speed broadband connections on vehicles opens up a host of new possibilities for operators of public and private transportation.
In-Bus Network using the Moovbox M220 Mobile Broadband Gateway
Equipping a bus or coach with a broadband connection means that passengers can benefit from an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot service, enabling them to check email and surf the web during their journey. The service works like any fixed hotspot in a hotel, coffee shop or airport; research has shown that Wi-Fi Internet access is popular on journeys as short as fifteen minutes making it suitable for urban commuter routes as well as intercity connections.
Remote viewing of on-board CCTV
Today CCTV systems are commonplace on public transport to improve passenger and vehicle security. Cameras are typically mounted inside and outside the vehicle and record to a disk-based Digital Video Recorder (DVR). However the recorded footage is only available once the vehicle returns to the depot. With an on-board broadband connection, fleet operators can access video footage and live camera feeds while the vehicle is in transit, significantly improving response times to incidents and, where necessary, liaising with emergency services.
GPS-enabled web-based vehicle tracking
Every transport operator wants to keep the number of ‘black boxes’ on a vehicle to a minimum. With a broadband connection and a GPS receiver, a vehicle can be tracked in real-time by sending GPS coordinates over the Internet so a vehicle’s current (and historical) position is shown on a moving map via any secure web broswer. When combined with information about cellular network coverage, the same GPS data can help build a map of network availability and quality which assists in planning whether or not a particular route can get a broadband connection throughout a journey.
Introducing the Moovbox M Series Mobile Broadband Gateway
The award-winning Moovbox M220 Mobile Broadband Gateway and the MoovManage hosted management service is a complete system for road-based mobile communications. It will work with existing on-board systems such as telematics and CCTV and provide connectivity for other equipment too.
