Nomad Digital
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications, Transportation technology |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Graeme Lowdon, Nigel Wallbridge |
| Headquarters | Newcastle upon Tyne , England |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Passenger Wi-Fi, remote condition monitoring, passenger information systems |
| Parent | Alstom |
Nomad Digital specializes in providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity solutions tailored for the transportation industry, offering wireless broadband access to trains, metros, trams, and buses. Their portfolio encompasses passenger Wi-Fi, remote condition monitoring of rail equipment onboard, and systems for passenger information. The company is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and operates on a global scale.
History
Established in 2002 by Graeme Lowdon and Nigel Wallbridge, Nomad Digital was born from their telecommunications expertise and the recognition of a market need for high-speed wireless data connectivity for moving vehicles. Utilizing wireless WiMax technology capable of functioning in tunnels and subterranean environments, they went beyond simple Internet provision to enable real-time CCTV video streaming and remote diagnostics of train systems.
Initially funded by its founders, Nomad raised £8 million in venture capital in 2006 through Amadeus Capital Partners alongside investment from T-Mobile’s venture fund (T-Venture). Despite these investments, the company experienced considerable mismanagement during the three years leading up to its acquisition, resulting in financial deficits, lost contracts, and the exit of key personnel that jeopardized its stability.
In December 2016, Alstom purchased Nomad Digital for €16 million from investors including Amadeus Capital Partners, SEB Venture Capital, and Deutsche Telekom, with the transaction finalizing in January 2017. Following the acquisition, a restructuring effort removed much of the previous leadership responsible for operational difficulties, thereby restoring stability and securing the company’s future direction.
Technology
Nomad Digital combines various communication technologies such as 3G/4G cellular networks and trackside wireless infrastructure to maintain uninterrupted data links with trains. This connectivity supports an onboard network that spans the entire train via Wi-Fi access points installed in each carriage, delivering internet access and entertainment options to passengers. The Communications Control Unit onboard facilitates live remote monitoring of train systems by operators.
Operations
Nomad’s first contract was awarded by Southern in 2004 to provide broadband services on the Brighton to London Victoria line in collaboration with T-Mobile. In the UK market, prominent operators including Abellio ScotRail, Arriva CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, First Great Western, Heathrow Express, NI Railways, South West Trains, and Virgin Trains West Coast have adopted Nomad’s connectivity solutions.
In January 2014, Nomad outfitted Polish State Railways (PKP) intercity services with T-Mobile Wi-Fi and multimedia equipment across up to 300 vehicles. This deployment also incorporated capabilities for remote condition monitoring and vehicle tracking.
That same year, Nomad secured a comprehensive Wi-Fi upgrade contract from Virgin Trains involving installation on 56 Pendolino and 20 Super Voyager trains. In 2015, they delivered the passenger Wi-Fi platform for Toronto’s Union Pearson Express linking Union Station with Toronto Pearson International Airport.
In June 2015, Nomad became the first transport technology firm to join The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), integrating IWF-approved services into passenger Wi-Fi networks to safeguard UK train travelers from exposure to illegal online content.
By November 2015, Nomad entered into a decade-long agreement with ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) to implement what became the world’s largest multi-modal connectivity project. This initiative covers up to 900 trains and 2,000 buses equipped with advanced onboard technology services.
Business Growth and Acquisitions
In December 2013, Nomad was chosen to participate in the Future Fifty programme, an initiative supported by TechCity and the UK Government. The company has also been featured in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 list for four straight years, highlighting the fastest expanding private technology businesses in the UK based on three-year revenue growth.
Back in 2007, Nomad acquired Qinetiq Rail, with Qinetiq contributing £1.5 million in exchange for equity. In March 2013, Nomad expanded its portfolio by acquiring Inova, a German supplier specializing in Passenger Information Systems based in Hildesheim. Later that year, Nomad entered into a joint venture named NomadTech with Portuguese firm EMEF to provide wireless solutions focused on condition-based maintenance for railway aftercare. This technology has been implemented on more than 140 trains operated by Norwegian State Railways (NSB), aiming to lower maintenance expenses and enhance fleet uptime.
Passenger Wi-Fi, Portal, and Infotainment
Nomad Digital designs infotainment systems, including onboard display screens, from its office located in Hildesheim, Germany.
In 2011, Nomad secured a contract with Eurostar to deliver onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment services as part of a £700 million fleet modernization programme. This initiative involved refurbishing existing rolling stock and introducing 10 new Siemens e320 trainsets, facilitating high-speed internet connectivity and streaming content through a web portal on routes connecting London, Paris, and Brussels.
Remote Online Condition Monitoring
In November 2013, Nomad Digital collaborated with Portuguese railway maintenance company EMEF to establish the joint venture Nomad Tech. Clients currently utilizing Nomad’s remote online condition monitoring (ROCM) solutions include Vy, Comboios de Portugal, and Metro Trains Melbourne.