Merger to Create World Leader in Internet Access for Public Transport
Swedish on-train Internet pioneer Icomera to acquire UK's award-winning Moovera Networks.
Gothenburg, Sweden & Sittingbourne, UK (PRWEB) July 22, 2008 -- Icomera AB, the world's leading supplier of Internet connectivity to trains, has agreed to acquire UK-based Moovera Networks, the award-winning manufacturer of fixed and mobile communications systems. As a result of the merger Icomera AB will become the foremost provider of in-vehicle, industrial-grade Internet access technology - encompassing trains, buses, coaches, trucks and ferries - with a global customer base including many of the world's largest transport operators.
"The market for Internet connectivity on public transport is developing at a very rapid pace," said Ola Sjölin, Chief Executive Officer at Icomera. "Whether for Wi-Fi hotspots, CCTV monitoring, vehicle tracking or streaming entertainment, real-time connections to buses and trains are increasingly in demand. Moovera has acquired a strong reputation in the industry as a developer of innovative yet price competitive technology and has established an impressive customer base that in many instances overlaps with our own. It was a natural progression for Icomera and Moovera to combine forces to offer a complete range of solutions from low-cost bus products to high-end systems certified for the railway industry. Moving forward we will continue to build on Icomera's position as the dominant force in on-board vehicle communications."
Icomera currently offers high-reliability, backhaul-agnostic communications gateways supporting concurrent satellite, cellular and trackside networks in a single in-vehicle system that - using patented technology - automatically switches to use the best wide area network without session interruption. With the acquisition of Moovera Networks, Icomera will add Moovera's multi-radio Moovbox product family to create the most advanced portfolio of fixed and mobile broadband gateways on the market. In addition to vehicular applications, Moovbox gateways have been used increasingly for public safety and outdoor municipal wireless applications, and by cellular network operators seeking to expand into Wi-Fi hotspot services.
"For some time now Moovera and Icomera have been addressing the same markets from different directions," said Jim Baker, CEO and founder of Moovera. "While Icomera has focused on sophisticated and complex rail systems, we have been targeting the broader market for Internet connectivity on road transport and outdoor networks. Many of the world's largest transport operators like National Express and First Group own rail and bus networks and are already deploying both Icomera and Moovera solutions; the merger of our two businesses will create a single supplier with the best possible range of solutions for our customers worldwide."
Following the acquisition, Icomera will adopt the Moovbox brand for its new combined product line and leverage Moovera's worldwide network of Channel Partners who sell and support Moovbox systems in their regional markets. Moovera's Kent-based operations and its nine employees will become Icomera's UK office, bringing the total workforce in Sweden and the UK to over forty people. Moovera CEO Jim Baker will take up the post of Chief Marketing Officer at Icomera. The financial terms of the acquisition are not disclosed.
About Icomera AB
Established in 1999, Icomera AB is the world's biggest provider of on-train Internet communications services. Icomera systems are in daily operation on over 135 intercity and commuter trains in the UK and Sweden, supporting passenger Internet services and real-time operational and business applications. Over two million passengers have used the Icomera free in-train Internet service on the UK's East Coast main line operated by National Express. For more information visit http://www.icomera.com.
About Moovera Networks
Established in late 2006, Moovera Networks is an award-winning manufacturer of industrial-grade fixed, mobile and portable wireless products that bridge Wi-Fi and Ethernet with carrier-class cellular networks including 3G UMTS/HSPA, WiMAX, TD-CDMA, HC-SDMA and FLASH-OFDM. Applications include commercial hotspots, city-wide municipal and in-vehicle wireless, public safety, construction, events, and secure corporate communications. Customers include national telcos and mobile carriers, local government and public safety authorities, ISPs, systems integrators and transport operators around the world. For more information visit http://www.moovera.com.
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