DB Latest - March 2007
Internet access on the ICE extended
Deutsche Bahn and T-Mobile extend broadband offer on the ICE - Wireless Internet access now also available between Cologne and Frankfurt - Extension to more ICE connections is planned
High-speed communication in high-speed trains: Deutsche Bahn and T-Mobile are extending broadband availability on rail services. From today, travellers using the ICE between Frankfurt airport and Cologne will have fast and easy access to the World Wide Web and will be able to check and send e-mails. This means that the existing broadband offer between Dortmund and Cologne is being extended to include one of the most frequently used ICE connections. All high-speed trains with wireless Internet availability can be recognized by T-Mobile’s HotSpot logo. Before the end of this year, two further ICE connections will follow: Frankfurt–Fulda–Göttingen–Hanover–Hamburg and Frankfurt–Stuttgart–Munich. The partners are planning to increase the number of ICEs equipped with broadband from seven at present to more than 50.
As early as December 2005 HotSpot availability started on the ICE between Dortmund and Cologne, initially as a pilot project. As a result of the positive response, it later became a standard service and the partners agreed to expand the service to new connections and more ICE trains.
On the above-mentioned connections, passengers receive reliable Internet access in broadband quality. They simply require a laptop or other terminal with WLAN capability. The Internet connection is made via T-Mobile’s broadband mobile network. The technical integration of the systems on the train and on land is provided by the technology partner T-systems. Deutsche Telekom equips the trains with the necessary hardware and software that make available both the train–land connection and the W-LAN network on the train.
Customers with a T-Mobile contract can log on straight away. Any other passenger is able to order a certain amount of time online and pay by credit card.
Also included in this project are the DB Lounges in 14 stations, which are also equipped with a T-Mobile HotSpot.
As early as December 2005 HotSpot availability started on the ICE between Dortmund and Cologne, initially as a pilot project. As a result of the positive response, it later became a standard service and the partners agreed to expand the service to new connections and more ICE trains.
On the above-mentioned connections, passengers receive reliable Internet access in broadband quality. They simply require a laptop or other terminal with WLAN capability. The Internet connection is made via T-Mobile’s broadband mobile network. The technical integration of the systems on the train and on land is provided by the technology partner T-systems. Deutsche Telekom equips the trains with the necessary hardware and software that make available both the train–land connection and the W-LAN network on the train.
Customers with a T-Mobile contract can log on straight away. Any other passenger is able to order a certain amount of time online and pay by credit card.
Also included in this project are the DB Lounges in 14 stations, which are also equipped with a T-Mobile HotSpot.
Mobile phone as train and bus ticket
Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone are developing a new electronic ticket - Pilot project will start in October - Payment will be much easier for customers
Simply climb aboard and off you go: the mobile phone will in the future replace the printed ticket. Instead of purchasing a ticket from a ticket machine or bus driver, customers will only have to press a button on their mobile phone before departure and again on arrival.
Under the name of “Touch&Travel”, Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone will - together with other partners - develop this innovative process of electronic ticketing in order to have it ready for the market within the next couple of years. Deutsche Bahn wants to gain more customers with this user-friendly ticket that it will be possible to use on long-distance and regional trains as well as on local public transport.
An initial trial for Touch&Travel will start this year on the ICE route between Berlin and Hanover, on part of the S-Bahn network in Berlin and on the entire local transport network in Potsdam. If the trial is successful, this new way of ticketing will be introduced throughout Germany.
The e-ticketing concept of DB and Vodafone is based on new mobile phone technology soon to be launched: Near Field Communication (NFC) will make remote data transmission within a distance of a few centimetres possible. New generations of mobile phones will all be equipped with this technology.
For Touch&Travel, all train platforms and bus stops will be equipped with so-called Touchpoints. At these touch-in and touch-out points, travellers will check in with the press of a button on their mobile phones and check out at the final destination in the same way. The route taken and the relevant fare will be calculated and the registered user will receive a monthly invoice.
Other participants in the Touch&Travel pilot project as partners of DB and Vodafone are the transport services of Berlin and Potsdam as well as the technology partners Motorola, Atron, NXP and Giesecke&Devrient.
Under the name of “Touch&Travel”, Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone will - together with other partners - develop this innovative process of electronic ticketing in order to have it ready for the market within the next couple of years. Deutsche Bahn wants to gain more customers with this user-friendly ticket that it will be possible to use on long-distance and regional trains as well as on local public transport.
An initial trial for Touch&Travel will start this year on the ICE route between Berlin and Hanover, on part of the S-Bahn network in Berlin and on the entire local transport network in Potsdam. If the trial is successful, this new way of ticketing will be introduced throughout Germany.
The e-ticketing concept of DB and Vodafone is based on new mobile phone technology soon to be launched: Near Field Communication (NFC) will make remote data transmission within a distance of a few centimetres possible. New generations of mobile phones will all be equipped with this technology.
For Touch&Travel, all train platforms and bus stops will be equipped with so-called Touchpoints. At these touch-in and touch-out points, travellers will check in with the press of a button on their mobile phones and check out at the final destination in the same way. The route taken and the relevant fare will be calculated and the registered user will receive a monthly invoice.
Other participants in the Touch&Travel pilot project as partners of DB and Vodafone are the transport services of Berlin and Potsdam as well as the technology partners Motorola, Atron, NXP and Giesecke&Devrient.
More information or bookings
Contact the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre on +44 (0)8702 43 53 63 (national rates apply) from Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) or send an email to sales@bahn.co.uk. Train timetables and information can be found on www.bahn.ie.
Press contact
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Passenger Services
Suites 6/8
The Sanctuary
23 Oakhill Grove
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 6DU
Contact:
Marlies Blom
Tel: +44(0)20/8339-4720
Fax: +44(0)20/8339-4770
E-mail: press@bahn.co.uk
Prices and information are correct at time of issue.
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