BWCS Consultancy Services for the Railway Industry
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.
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 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 2018
The annual BWCS WiFi on Trains Conference: Train Communications Systems 2018 focuses directly on the problems of putting WiFi 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 onboard their trains as they struggle to cut costs, beat the competition and enhance the passenger experience
Broadband wireless services have become a vital weapon for train operators in their battle to beat the competition, cut costs and enhance the passenger experience. But keeping up with this fast-moving sector is a problem.
Train Communications Systems 2018 is the only conference to focus directly on this niche, but fast-growing area.
The conference is now in its twelfth year. It has become the vital meeting point for train companies, rail administrators, suppliers and technology specialists all looking to drive this sector forward.
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.
Held on 6-7 June in 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 2018 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 or to receive a brochure please contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com.
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Wi-Fi on Trains Conference 2018 Programme
There is a growing demand for passengers to access Wi-Fi on trains. BWCS holds its annual Wi-Fi on Trains Conference to develop fast and free connectivity, which is an important part of gaining revenue.
BWCS The European Market for Train Based Broadband Wireless Services
Rail operators are not only in competition amongst themselves but much more significantly with other modes of transport. Some countries in Central Europe have experienced severe, even alarming, falls in passenger numbers over the last 30 years and are making sustained efforts to stop the haemorrhage.
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Press Release
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.
Read moreThe gloves are well and truly off in the battle for supremacy in the world’s largest market for Wi-Fi on trains.
Read moreThis 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.
Read moreIndian Railways is reportedly taking a leap down the digital track by developing more than 200 mobile phone applications aimed at tourists, travellers, and staff.
Read moreBWCS 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.
Read moreA 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read morePassengers on the Edinburgh-Glasgow train route will soon be able to experience "Super-fast" on-board WiFi. According to reports in The Scotsman newspaper, Cisco is spearheading a project that will boost wireless connection speeds by a factor of ten to 300Mbps. This step-up in speed is being enabled by adding new wireless masts and technology supplied by Fluidmesh along the route.
Read moreHurry, Hurry, Hurry, Tickets are All But Gone for Next Month’s Wi-Fi on Trains Conference (7-8 June)
If you are planning to attend Train Communications Systems 2017, book now or risk losing out say the organisers BWCS. "It really is in danger of being standing room only this year" said BWCS MD Graham Wilde "The number of train operators attending has risen, as interest in launching new on-board Wi-Fi services and improving existing ones has grown."
Read moreBidders are currently sharpening their pencils as the deadline draws close for submissions to offer a Wi-Fi on trains service the Kochi Metro. Those interested in getting on board with the soon-to-be-launched 26km long service have until the 8 April to finalise their offers.
Read moreGerman train operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has begun rolling out passenger Wi-Fi services on its regional train network. This year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference hosted by BWCS in London in June, will feature presentations on the launch of Wi-Fi on both DB Regio and DB's high-speed ICE fleet.
Read moreBWCS is delighted to announce a major keynote speaker for this year's WiFi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2017 (London, 7-8 June). Keith Monserrat from Network Rail Telecom will address the conference on the Future for Wireless Connectivity Services to Trains.
Read moreFrench national train operator SNCF has today officially launched passenger Wi-Fi services on its high-speed Paris-Lyon route.
Read moreLouise Haigh, Labour's digital economy spokeswoman, has pushed the UK government to commit to fast rail broadband through legislation. According to reports in The Guardian newspaper, the MP for Sheffield Heeley is planning to table an amendment to the UK's Digital Economy Bill, which is due to return to the House of Commons floor next week.
Read moreNomad will showcase a recently deployed ground-breaking technology solution at this year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2016.
Read moreTrain operators around the world face a major dilemma. While putting Wi-Fi on their trains boosts ticket sales and cuts costs, interruptions to the service leave passengers frustrated and itching to vent their spleen on Twitter. Clearly, faster, more robust connections are needed, but in a world of patchy mobile coverage and demand bottlenecks how can train operators achieve this?
Read moreUS train operator Amtrak announced it is expanding the availability of its cellular-based on-board Wi-Fi service, AmtrakConnect. At the same time as it rolls out coverage to 90% of its trains, the company said it will add 'new wireless technology on board' and that this will lead to 'overall improvements in reliability and performance'.
Read moreBWCS is delighted to announce a major keynote speaker for this year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference, Train Communications Systems 2016 (London, 8 and 9 June). Gavin James, project sponsor of the Digital Railways Group in the Department for Transport and the man behind the government's proposed £50 million investment in free on-train Wi-Fi in the UK, will report back on the consultation that he announced exclusively at last year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference.
Read moreIt's a sign of the times, two of the leading suppliers of Wi-Fi on train systems have this week cut deals that tie them ever closer to train operating companies.
Read moreGoogle's much-vaunted WiFi for passengers at railway stations in India will kick off this week.
Read moreSNCF seems to have pulled the plug on plans to introduce WiFi on trains this year.
Read moreSpanish national train operator RENFE is to offer free WiFi connections to passengers on its much-lauded high-speed AVE trains. According to reports in the national daily El Pais, the service will begin on some routes by the end of this year.
Read moreDutch company Abellio has revealed plans to improve on-board WiFi services on all ScotRail routes. Abellio said in a statement that "Rail passengers must have access to high-quality and reliable WiFi."
Read moreOn the same day that a Japanese Maglev train broke its own record to reach a speed of 603kph, an online report claimed that an Irish train had also entered the record books for "the World's slowest WiFi connection".
Read moreThe entire Dutch inter-city fleet will be equipped with 4G mobile internet connections by the end of this summer, claims public transport body OV Magazine, with the first inter-city trains with high-speed internet already operational. National train company, NS, has offered free on-board WiFi since 2010, but it has recently been bedevilled by customer complaints about speed of connections and even gaps in service.
Read moreBWCS is delighted to announce a major new keynote speaker for this year's WiFi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2015 (London, 10th and 11th of June).
Read moreThe full brochure and running order for this year's global get-together, the Wi-Fi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2015, is now available.
Read moreBWCS has worked with Banedanmark and other parties in the Danish rail industry to hammer out a strategy for better on-train coverage and capacity.
Read moreThe draft brochure is now ready for BWCS' second train connectivity conference of the year Connectivity for CCTV and Rail Operations.
Read moreFollowing the success of this year’s 'WiFi on Trains Conference' and at the request of many train operators, BWCS has added connectivity to its November get-together.
Read moreAs the US and Europe vie for leadership in this fast-moving area, trackside delivery and higher data capacity have become the current focus.
Read moreThe full running order and brochure is now ready for this year's WiFi on Trains Conference: Train Communications Systems 2014 (London, 11 and 12 June)! The main speakers will include Network Rail, who will discuss plans for the future of trackside wireless systems in the UK.
Read moreThis year's WiFi on Trains Conference: Train Communications Systems 2014 (London, 11 to 12 June), could be the biggest yet.
Read moreSNCF, First Group, Crossrail and Israeli Railways will be among the throng of train operators heading to Rail CCTV 2013 on 6-7 November.
Read moreSNCF and Israeli Railways are the latest train operators to join the throng heading to BWCS's Rail CCTV 2013 Conference this November. The conference is the only event to focus directly on the issues facing transport groups and rail authorities as they struggle to make trains and stations more secure and develop new cost-saving systems to capitalise on the emerging generation of IP cameras.
Read moreBWCS will be hosting their fourth annual conference on Rail CCTV this November in London. The event is the only one to focus directly on the issues facing train companies, transport groups and rail authorities as they struggle to make trains and stations more secure, gain direct access to on-train CCTV images and develop new cost-saving systems to capitalise on the emerging generation of IP cameras.
Read moreBWCS has issued the last call to register for this year's WiFi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems Conference 2013. The event has already attracted train operators and suppliers from Russia, the US, the Ukraine Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Norway and elsewhere, all keen to hear about the latest developments in this fast-moving sector.
Read moreThe problem with offering free WiFi to train customers is - it's hard to know how much they value it. Do they simply expect it to be there, as it is on many buses, in McDonalds eateries and even pubs? Or do they rush home, tell their friends and put their cars on e-Bay in order to fund greater train travel?
Read moreWiFi on trains in Britain is to receive a major fillip, with government money being earmarked to help fund this growing sector. Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, is set to help finance on-board WiFi services in his forthcoming budget.
Read moreAs on-board WiFi becomes an ever more vital weapon for train operators, a global gathering of transport companies and new system suppliers is expected to descend on London on 12 and 13 June for BWCS's Train Communications Systems 2013. Registration for the event is now open.
Read moreMaking better use of a massive fixed resource through new technologies is the theme of BWCS' third Rail CCTV Conference this November. Train and metro operators, rail authorities and new technology companies from around the world will gather to discuss the latest developments in on-board and station-based CCTV and how new systems can help reduce costs, tackle crime and enhance the security and safety of passengers.
Read moreThe UK is leading Europe in the race to get broadband wireless services onto trains, according to a new report from the consulting firm BWCS. The number of WiFi-equipped train carriages in Britain has reached 2,000, which far exceeds the closest rivals Germany (911) and Italy (995) and dwarfs the French figure of 416.
Read moreTrain operators from across Europe, the Middle East and the US will gather in London next month to share their wireless know-how at Train Communications Systems 2012. Hosted by transport and wireless consultancy BWCS, the conference will examine the issues associated with launching new broadband services to and from trains.
Read moreOn-train passenger entertainment and operational cost-saving services are being revolutionised by the supply of broadband wireless services to trains, argues a new report titled The European Market for Train-Based Wireless Broadband Services 2012, by Transport and wireless Consultancy BWCS.
Read moreTrain operators can no longer afford to be without on-board train WiFi systems, argues Transport and Wireless Consultancy BWCS, who will host a conference on the subject this June.
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