Adelaide gets an internet-enabled bus

By Ben Grubb on Aug 26, 2009 3:54 PM
Filed under Telco/ISP

Free, filtered Wi-Fi for commuters.

A consortium of technology companies in Adelaide has launched an internet-enabled bus that allows for free Wi-Fi access.

The i-Commute system utilises a 3G USB dongle plugged into a Wi-Fi router and allows for any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled device to connect to the internet whilst in transit.

It also allows for live news and travel information to be displayed on two 19-inch screens.

MIMP General Manager, Allan Aitchison, told iTnews the kit had cost the multiple companies around $500,000 to develop and said that further buses could be deployed with the technology for approximately $10,000 each.

He also said that content filtering had been deployed by Webshield and that in the future the system, and ongoing costs, could be paid for by advertisements running on the two screens.

The companies hope to use the South Australian pilot as a case study for further deployment.

Aitchison added that his company was in consultation with another consortium of companies to participate in a Brisbane Rail tender for Wi-Fi access on trains in Queensland.

Companies who assisted in the project included MIMP, transSpot, Cisco, Adam Internet, Podmo Mobile and Webshield Content Filtering.

7 comments in this discussion

"liq: Your ignorance is astounding. If you want to have a rational conversation about what goes into a project like this then happy to discuss. Somehow I doubt that you are a rational person. What ..."

By Podmo

Tags

south, australia, adelaide, internet, wifi, bus

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Comments: 7

Simon Aug 26, 2009 4:40 PM	How can it cost $10k per bus to fit it out with a 3G USB dongle and a wireless router? I'll put my hand up for that contract at that rate.
Podmo Aug 26, 2009 5:13 PM	Hi Simon, there is a lot more to the system than a 3G USB dongle and a wireless router. I guess putting all the details into an article like this could confuse the reader.
bengrubb Aug 26, 2009 5:28 PM	Simon, There's more to the system that just a Wi-Fi access point and 3G dongle. "It also allows for live news and travel information to be displayed on two 19-inch screens" Travel information includes things like the next stop and where you currently are. Perhaps I've over simplified, but its about what the system is currently able to do now rather than future uses.
jean Aug 27, 2009 10:11 PM	Yawn. Look up Icomera, who recently bought out Moovera. They have had an end to end mobile ISP system operational for years on trains, buses and ferries in the UK and Europe for many years. A free 3 month trial on several buses was conducted by Star-Tech Communications over a year ago using Icomera/Moovera technology on Sydney's Westbus fleet on the busy M2 route. Telstra 3G was used for the backhaul. It was taken away after the trial because no bus operators wanted it - near sighted idiots. The service was very well received, and ahead of its time. The end to end service cost a few thousand $. This new trial is several years late.
Podmo Aug 28, 2009 12:28 AM	Jean or John whoever you really are. You just wrote exactly the same thing here as John http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/316394/net_savvy_adelaide_bus_commuters_get_free_wi-fi#content Or perhaps you are staff at Icomera? Perhaps you should fess up and disclose your real intention? Anyway here is a copy of my response to your comment at computerworld. Icomera does not do what Podmo, the mobile component of this project does. Podmo is providing Bluetooth connectivity to mobile phones on the bus. The system detects devices as they enter the bus and sends the Podmo client to the passenger over Bluetooth. Once installed the Podmo client connects via Bluetooth and the user can browse/download all types of content and communicate for free.
liq Aug 28, 2009 8:47 PM	Podmo : No, there isnt a "lot more" to it. I could use a car pc with a 3g usb dongle, wireless router, and any old phone with gps enabled on it, write an app to gps/radio location from the phone, and update it to the screen. It would cost a hell of a lot less than $10k PER BUS. Who gives a crap about this setup when most phone providers give you all that for free on your phone anyway now. The fact they have spent multiple millions on this, is incredible. It would cost less to give every person who uses public transport a base-model mobile and simply host a website with live travel information on it.
Podmo Aug 29, 2009 10:59 AM	liq: Your ignorance is astounding. If you want to have a rational conversation about what goes into a project like this then happy to discuss. Somehow I doubt that you are a rational person. What phone provider is giving free accounts and data? Sign me up! Who spent multiple millions of dollars and where are you getting your facts from? Perhaps you live in a parallel universe?