Nomad Digital has announced that it has been selected by Virgin Trains as preferred bidder for passenger WiFi internet services on board its high-speed trains. The new service, which will be launched in 2007, will allow passengers to read emails, browse the web and download digital data, such as music and games, throughout their journey on West Coast Main Line routes.

Nomad’s innovative mobile communication system links the train to trackside wireless base stations, with radios located every few miles along the route 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 - even through tunnels or underground.

Laura Hirdman, New Product Development Manager of Virgin Trains said “Virgin is renowned for continually adding that bit extra to the travel experience, so we are very pleased to be working with Nomad to further improve the value and convenience we provide to our passengers. We already offer WiFi access at our first class lounges, at-seat mobile-charging points and laptop power points. Now with on-board internet, working travelers can carry on with business as usual by staying connected while in-transit. And all passengers can take advantage of more distracting online pursuits like news, shopping, emailing friends and family, or downloading their favourite songs and videos.”

The selection of Nomad Digital follows a competitive tendering process carried out over the past year. Nomad Digital was the first company in the UK to provide on-board WIFI access.

Graeme Lowdon, CEO and joint-founder of Nomad Digital, noted that the network being built to deliver the service can also be used for many other purposes such as passenger information and voice services. “Virgin Trains is determined to help passengers make their travel time productive and enjoyable, and we can enable that to happen in a variety of ways” he said, “This is an area where rail travel really scores over other forms of transport. It is very exciting to be working with Virgin on this.”

UK-based Nomad is growing rapidly and has several implementations in operation, including a successful trial on trains running through California’s Silicon Valley. The company has also recently raised £8m of private equity funding to support its network roll-out. It sees huge expansion potential in Europe and North America is also exploring further deals in China, India and the Middle East.