4G Metro, a privately owned wireless services company, today announced that it has signed a contract with Trinity Railway Express (TRE) to provide the nation’s first comprehensive wireless broadband solution spanning the entire length of a major public railway. The deployment will allow TRE, a Dallas-Fort Worth-based cooperative public railway service, to offer onboard high-speed wireless Internet access and a range of entertainment services to passengers beginning in early summer 2007. TRE selected 4G Metro to provide wireless access to its passengers as part of a 15-year private/public partnership deal.
TRE carries approximately 5,000 passengers daily on its 36-mile route that links downtown Fort Worth, downtown Dallas and DFW Airport. The wireless deployment will provide Internet access and enable delivery of video content to 27-inch LCD screens on each railway car. These screens will display “infotainment,” such as local advertising, breaking news and sports updates, enabling passengers to stay fully connected during their commutes.
4G Metro will use equipment from Nortel, Colubris Networks, Airpath Wireless and Zstream Media Servicez to provide wireless communications. Components of the deployment will include:
• Nortel’s fully integrated Municipal Wireless Solution along the railway tracks between Dallas and Fort Worth to provide voice, multimedia and data services.
• Colubris Networks’ Intelligent WLAN Mobility System is being deployed inside each train, enabling Internet access and other services. The Colubris Wireless Client Bridge (WCB) will provide seamless connectivity to Nortel Wireless Access Points along the outdoor track and Colubris MultiService Access Points (MAPs) inside each train station. Colubris MultiService Controllers (MSCs) will provide centralized, simple and secure user access and QoS services.
• Airpath Wireless’ hosted application, RoamBoss, will be used to simplify the deployment and operation of the Wi-Fi system. RoamBoss’ features include user authentication, e-commerce, billing and customer provisioning, which will ultimately enhance the end users’ experience.
• Zstream’s Digital Signage System, which includes semi-rugged LCD display screens positioned throughout the train cars and at designated train stations, will display advertising, sponsorship and current information, as well as special events, news, weather, sports and alert notifications.
“By installing a carrier-class wireless broadband system for TRE, we are potentially redefining the economic development for the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The local workforce will gain a commuting option that lets them make the most of their time,” said Don Lanham, chief marketing officer at 4G Metro. “We look forward to further expanding this deployment and establishing similar deployments across the country.”
About 4G Metro
4G Metro is a privately owned wireless services company. The company works with world class network systems providers to ensure seamless installation processes. Its services reflect the uniqueness of core technologies, including wireless communications, radio transmission, network hardware/software architecture, digital signal processing and audio/video distribution. 4G Metro is comprised of two divisions – metropolitan mesh networks and broadband access on public transportation. Visit 4G Metro on the Web at www.4gmetro.com.
About Trinity Railway Express
The Trinity Railway Express is a cooperative service provided by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (the T) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The TRE links downtown Fort Worth, downtown Dallas and DFW Airport.
