iDBUS, the new SNCF long-distance coach service, offering European travelers unprecedented levels of comfort and service, has chosen Orange Business to provide advanced Wi-Fi services to its passengers via the Orange broadband mobile network. Featuring free Wi-Fi on board since 2012, all iDBUS vehicles are now equipped with Orange M2M SIM cards, improving passenger connectivity.
Today, 50% of iDBUS customers regularly connect to the Internet during their trips. To continue to provide a superior quality of service with increasing network traffic, iDBUS chose to deploy a new on-board connection service.
"Remaining connected while traveling has become a necessity, and Wi-Fi availability is among the top criteria for choosing our company. iDBUS was a pioneer in this field and played a major role in the deployment of pervasive on-board connectivity solutions," said Laurent Lenoir, Director of Information Systems at iDBUS.
“For Orange, providing a positive customer experience is key. We are delighted to extend the quality of our mobile network to iDBUS and thus help offer value-added services for their passengers,” said Valérie Cussac, Vice-President Mobile France & International, Orange.
In France, travelers leverage the Orange mobile network, voted number 1 for the 4th consecutive year by the ARCEP/2. In other European countries, passengers can rely on Internet access through Orange roaming agreements with major European operators. iDBUS customers can take advantage of the free unlimited iDBUS – Orange Wi-Fi network access on their smartphones, tablets or laptops – in all of the countries through which they travel.
The new solution relies on embedded Orange M2M SIM cards. Each coach is also equipped with a router converting the cellular connections of SIM cards into a Wi-Fi network connection and is available to all passengers. Orange Business guarantees a superior quality of service and provides iDBUS with an administration platform that allows them to manage SIM card consumption and subscription status.
SNCF launched its iDBUS offer in 2012 as a seamless, cost-effective and comfortable transport alternative to travel across Europe. Available in France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and in Germany, iDBUS currently reaches 19 European destinations. iDBUS has been offering free Wi-Fi services to its passengers across its fleet since launch.