Nomad Digital joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) in late 2024, and we recently had the chance to catch up with Paul Vaclik, Head of Product Innovation, to give us an introduction to Nomad Digital and explain what their goals are as a member of the WBA!

Paul Vaclik – Head of Product Innovation, Nomad Digital

Can you provide a brief overview of Nomad Digital?

Nomad Digital, a 100% subsidiary of Alstom, develops and integrates innovative technology and solutions that enable transport operators to transform the passenger journey experience. Nomad currently serves over 40 customers across the globe, many of whom are major train manufacturers and operators.

We have a team of approximately 300 employees working from technical centres in the UK, Belgium, and Germany, as well as 10 other locations across Europe, North America, and Australia.

While we are best known for our high-performance train-to-ground connectivity and onboard WiFi solutions, our portfolio extends far beyond these offerings to support the evolving needs of rail digitalisation. We provide a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Passenger Information Systems (PIS), Onboard Entertainment Portals, IoT Data Management, and Security-as-a-Service, among others. Our diverse range of services ensures that we can meet the varied and dynamic requirements of the modern rail industry.

We are also leveraging AI to enhance intelligent data insights for transport operators. One example is our passenger counting solution, which provides real-time monitoring of coach occupancy and load, helping operators gain a deeper understanding of passenger behaviour.

Key Moment of 2024 and What’s Ahead for 2025

2024 was a year of major milestones, including the successful delivery of key rail connectivity projects worldwide. A standout achievement was the deployment of a high-capacity mmWave dedicated trackside network in California for Caltrain, delivering high-performance train-to-ground connectivity. This was the first Gigabit dedicated trackside network in North America.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are continuing to drive rail technology innovations that support the digital evolution of the industry. Our focus remains on next-generation connectivity, enhancing the passenger experience, and delivering intelligent transport solutions.

What led Nomad Digital to join the WBA?

OpenRoaming plays a key role in enhancing onboard WiFi connectivity, enabling train operators to:

  • Provide passengers with a seamless, frictionless WiFi experience
  • Strengthen security, data access, and user identity management
  • Unlock new and innovative services for the rail industry

By partnering with the WBA, we aim to drive high-performance, seamless connectivity WiFi solutions for public transport, rail operators, and passengers worldwide.