RENFE is to offer free WiFi connections to passengers on its 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.
RENFE is planning to roll out a free basic service covering e-mail and web-surfing, and a premium pay service offering greater download speeds, based on 4G and satellite technology. The first line to get the on-board connections will be the Madrid-Barcelona route, by the end of December. The service will gradually extend to all 89 AVE trains over the next two years.
RENFE has long been planning WiFi on-board services for its AVE lines, and also at all stations along RENFE’s commuter routes, now, the operator intends to introduce both in one blow. The ten-year contract to supply the new service has been awarded to Telefónica, at a cost of EUR148.6-million. The former state-run entity beat off competition from Vodafone, among others.
The Spanish Government continues to invest heavily in high-speed rail. This year alone it is adding some 1,000km of new track allowing the AVE to reach eight further provincial capitals, including Zamora, León, Palencia and Burgos.
Photo: www.elnortedecastilla.es
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