BWCS

Consultancy Services for the Railway Industry

About Us

BWCS specialises in working with technology companies to maximise their business-to-business operations. We have worked extensively in the rail sector on technology projects and hosted a series of conferences on railway topics.

Consultancy services for rail operators, train companies and regulators

We help rail operators, train companies, industry regulators and governments to make decisions that shape markets. We have a stable base of blue-chip clients who rely on our expertise.

Our transport sector clients come to us for advice on how new services can increase efficiency and attract more passengers.

Communications and broadband conferences for the railway industry

We were influential in the first launch of Wi-Fi on trains in the UK. Since 2006 we have led a series of global conferences examining these issues.

The WiFi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2015 - 10-11 June.

Train Communications Systems 2013.

The European Market for Train-Based Wireless Broadband Services 2012.

Train Communications Systems 2012.

We are also working with major players in the industry on projects to upgrade their communications systems.

Our Transport Practice completed projects for the RSSB in the UK designed to generate a better understanding of the future demand for broadband services in the UK rail industry.

Global conferences for the rail sector

BWCS has held several global conferences on the future of technology in the rail sector on topics including:

Train communications systems
Rail communication regulations and management
Integrated CCTV and transport

BWCS conferences are different. We get involved in the subject. We work in the sector. We pick speakers, panel members and attendees who know all there is to know about the subject matter.

The result is that our conferences attract people with real-life experience of the problems facing the railway industry. We don’t invite salesmen or suppliers to give generic presentations. We ask operators who have taken the lead with forcing through a change in their company to relate how they did it. The plan is to share experiences, not listen to sales pitches.

Attendees call our conferences relaxed yet right on the money, well-organised and highly-enjoyable.

We also make sure all the speakers and attendees meet each other using our speed-networking sections. As a result, many deals and lasting friendships have been formed.

The Wi-Fi on Trains Conference: Train Communications Systems 2020

BWCS’ annual Wi-Fi on Trains Conference – Train Communications Systems 2020 will focus directly on the problems of putting Wi-Fi onto trains.

You will hear frank accounts from the train operating companies currently involved in this battle, from those trialling new trackside solutions, squeezing better connections from mobile systems, as well as those launching new innovative broadband wireless services on board their trains as they struggle to cut costs, beat the competition and enhance the passenger experience.

There is no doubt that broadband wireless services have become a vital weapon for train operators, but keeping up with this fast-moving sector is a problem.

TCS 2020 is the best place to keep abreast of the latest developments in this niche, but fast-growing sector.

This Conference has become a vital meeting point for train companies, rail administrators, suppliers and technology specialists all looking to drive this sector forward. Can you afford to miss out?

Join the debate, question the train companies that have launched services and find out where they will take them next. Almost every train operator from around the world that has launched a Wi-Fi on-Trains service will be present. This is your chance to meet the people who are shaping this market, who are driving it forward and bringing in new services, ideas and technologies.

Please be advised that places are extremely limited and are selling out fast. To reserve your place now, please use the online order form or the Enquiry Form on this page.

Held in London on 10 and 11 June 2020, in central London, the Conference attracts train operators and suppliers from all over the world. Those attending will hear directly from train companies that are launching services, adding new cost-cutting solutions and driving up passenger numbers by adding integrated broadband solutions.

BWCS has worked with all the major players in this new market to make Train Communications Systems 2020 a success. Over two days, a combination of interactive workshops, panel sessions, presentations and networking sessions will explore the commercial and technical issues arising from the deployment of these services around the region.

As ever, the Conference will provide a great networking opportunity and a very limited number of sponsorship positions are still available. For further information on getting involved please fill in the Enquiry Form.

White Papers

BWCS The European Market for Train Based Broadband Wireless Services

Train Communication Systems Conference Programme

There is a growing demand for passengers to access Wi-Fi on trains.

Internet4Trains: Online Database Covering On-train Wi-Fi Services

Internet4Trains.com is an online database covering all the latest trials, developments, contracts and new services emerging in the niche market for on-train WiFi services across Europe and beyond.

Projects

Virginia Avenue Tunnel Reconstruction, Washington

The Virginia Avenue Tunnel was reconstructed by CSX to accommodate double-stack intermodal freight trains.

METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau) Light Rail Transit Project, Minneapolis

The proposed METRO Blue Line extension will extend the existing METRO Blue Line (formerly Hiawatha Light Rail Line) by approximately 13 miles (20.92km) from the existing Target Field LRT station in downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park in suburban Hennepin County.

Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP), California

The Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP) is nine mile-long rail extension currently under development by the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in California, US.

Caulfield to Dandenong Elevated Rail Project, Victoria

The Caulfield to Dandenong elevated rail project is a level crossing removal project between Caulfield and Dandenong, two suburbs in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Press Releases

Save the Dates: the Wi-Fi on Trains Conference is Back

The Wi-Fi on trains market is being shaken up with large sums of money being poured into ambitious plans to improve trackside connectivity.

National Infrastructure Commission Condemns Lack of Progress on Wi-Fi Coverage

The UK National Infrastructure Commission has produced a damming report on the lack of government progress in improving mobile and Wi-Fi coverage on the national rail network.

Swiss Trains to Offer GoMedia's Infotainment Services to its Passengers

British on-train infotainment provider GoMedia has announced a deal with Swiss National train operator SBB.

More than £9m Up for Grabs in Bid to Boost New Rail Technology Services

The UK Department for Transport is inviting bids for parts of a pot of £9.4m as it aims to encourage new technologies designed to improve rail services.

Virgin, Vodafone and McLaren Applied Trial 5G Wi-Fi Services on Board West Coast Trains

In the dying days of its franchise to operate trains on the UK’s West Coast Mainline, Virgin Trains has announced that it is trialling on-board 5G Wi-Fi services.

Details Announced for Next Year’s Wi-Fi on Trains Conference

BWCS has announced that next year’s Wi-Fi on Trains Conference, TrainComms2020, will take place on 10-11 June.

Portuguese Operator CP Pushes WiFi on Trains in Bid to Boost Rider Numbers

Portuguese train operator Comboios de Portugal (CP) has announced plans to greatly expand its free on-board WiFi services.

Network Rail Signs Telent to Supply Free Wi-Fi at all Major Train Stations

Network Rail is set to roll out free Wi-Fi at the 20 major stations that it operates across the UK.

US and Australia Covered by Wi-Fi on Trains Database

BWCS has further enhanced its Internet4Trains online database by adding coverage of Australia and the US.

Places Nearly Sold Out at This Year’s Wi-Fi on Trains Conference

The few remaining tickets to attend this June's Train Communications Systems 2019, the global Wi-Fi on Trains Conference, are selling out fast, warn the host BWCS.

UK Department for Transport to Present at London Wi-Fi on Trains Conference

The Department for Transport (DfT) is to give a keynote presentation at this year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2019 on 4-5 June.

Wi-Fi on Trains Conference Discusses Projects and Latest Developments

The largest and most innovative schemes to put Wi-Fi onto trains and to improve existing services will be presented and discussed at this June’s Global Wi-Fi on Trains Conference.

Deutsche Bahn to Equip Intercity Fleet with Wi-Fi

German national train operator Deutsche Bahn has said it will spend €30m to fit out its entire Intercity fleet with on-board Wi-Fi services.

Indian Railways Opens Tender for 64,000km Trackside Comms Network

As Indian Railways subsidiary RailTel launches a tender for trackside to train connection services, BWCS spoke to Ashutosh Vasant, director of RailTel and the man in charge of its Wi-Fi project.

BWCS Announces This Year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference

BWCS has announced the speakers for the annual WiFi on Trains Conference Train Communications Systems 2019.

On-Train Wi-Fi User Numbers to Rocket

The number of passengers accessing Wi-Fi on trains across Europe is set to soar to over 5.3 billion by 2028, almost five times the current total, according to figures from Internet4Trains.com, BWCS’ new online database launched today.

Government Scraps Part of £35 Million UK Trackside Wireless Trial

The UK Government announced today that it has decided to ditch part of its £35 million trial of 5G-based mobile and fixed line fibre technology on the Trans Pennine rail route.

UK Government Promises 'Vast Improvement for Wi-Fi' in Digital Rail Strategy

Amid much fanfare and hullaballoo, Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, and Network Rail CEO, Mark Carne, stood together at York Station to formally launch Network Rail’s Digital Railway Strategy.

Rival Tech Giants Prepare Bids of $500m for On-Train Wi-Fi in China

The gloves are well and truly off in the battle for supremacy in the world’s largest market for Wi-Fi on trains.

Places Selling Out Fast for Traincomms 2018 WiFi on Trains Conference

This year’s Wi-Fi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2018 will see operators from across the globe assemble to discuss the future path of on-train Wi-Fi services and tickets are disappearing fast.

App, App and Away for Indian Railways

Indian Railways is reportedly taking a leap down the digital track by developing more than 200 mobile phone applications aimed at tourists, travellers, and staff.

Speakers Announced for Wi-Fi on Trains Conference 2018

BWCS has announced that it now has all the speakers lined up for this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference: Train Communications Systems 2018 in London, UK.

UK Government Calls for Evidence on How Best to Deliver Trackside WiFi

A call for evidence on how to improve railway Wi-Fi signals has been launched by the UK Government as part of an ambitious plan to deliver improved onboard mobile and Wi-Fi connections.

Major Wi-Fi on Trains Conference Set for 2018

The battle to put 'customer-acceptable' Wi-Fi on trains is heating up. Trackside trials are appearing across the world and significant sums are set to be poured into this niche market.