Arqiva has today announced a contract with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Scotland's biggest regional transport partnership, which will see Arqiva's Wireless Solutions division design and deploy a combined cellular and WiFi network across 15 Glasgow Subway stations. Deployment of the network will begin later this month, with initial testing at Buchanan Street Subway station.
The new network will enable customers to use the Internet and mobile phones when at these stations, and provide public access to WiFi services. SPT is the owner and operator of Glasgow's unique Subway system. The organisation is undertaking a programme of Subway modernisation and efficiencies. It also sees great potential in WiFi technology to migrate some of its existing applications and services onto the network such as ticketing and CCTV.
Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, commented: "This is a real milestone for SPT as the state-of-the-art technology employed will realise our ambition of continuous improvement to services on the Subway. Accessibility and connectivity are vital in today's fast moving technology environment and I'm delighted that SPT has enabled Glasgow to set the standard of being the first city to provide both 2G & 3G phone and WiFi coverage on the subway. The new network should also reassure our customers that we are regularly responding to changing passenger needs. Any application which enhances passenger safety and delivers better services is high on our agenda."
Howard Williams, Business Development Manager for Arqiva's Wireless Solutions division, added: "As the UK moves closer to wirelessly-enabled areas, the benefits that wireless networks can provide are being recognised and cities need to capitalise on this. In its entirety the network is not just about meeting the needs of the general public; it is also about generating cost savings and efficiencies for the organisation and its counterparts."