Nomad Digital Signed to Provide On-Board WiFi for Italo NTV in New Fight for German Passengers

UK-based on-board systems supplier Nomad Digital has announced that is has won the contract to deliver high-performance 5G Internet on Board to NTV Italo’s new fleet of trains set to access the German rail market. The yet-to be supplied 26 Siemens Valero high-speed trains will begin operations on various long-distance routes in Germany in 2028. Under the terms of the deal, Nomad Digital will also provide ongoing Operations and Maintenance services.

The new contract follows Nomad’s successful 2024 agreement to upgrade Italo's existing Italian fleet with Internet in Board. The system in Germany, as in Italy, will utilise both cellular and Low Earth Orbit Satellite technologies. These will be supported by the supplier’s ‘intelligent hybrid aggregation’ tool which Nomad says optimises both performance for passengers and data costs for operators.

The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process.

Jean-Philippe Garbit, Managing Director, Nomad Digital commented, “The award of this contract is a great success for Nomad Digital and demonstrates our strengthened position in the European high-speed sector. The integration of our 5G connectivity and passenger information solutions across this new Italo fleet reinforces our relationship with one of our most important partners. We are proud to be chosen by Italo to support their pursuit of a customer focused strategy.”

On the 17^th of July this year, the German Federal Network Agency (BNA) issued its final decision regarding entry to the long-distance passenger network. It ruled that no single actor will be allocated more than 60-75% of available capacity, effectively guaranteeing competition with the long-distance subsidiary of incumbent Deutsche Bahn on key routes. BNA says the decision has the potential to transform long-distance transport in Germany.

NTV-Italo, responded to the decision by signing a contract with Siemens Mobility on July 20 for 26 eight-car Velaro Novo Multi System high-speed trains. Italo initially plans to operate up to 50 services per day between Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, and Munich - Cologne - Dortmund in direct competition with DB, which currently possesses a 95% share of the long-distance market in Germany.

The spread of on-board WiFi services, trackside wireless delivery and the increasing use of LEO satellites to boost connectivity will all be fully discussed at this year’s WiFi on Trains Conference, hosted by BWCS in London (www.Traincomms.com ).

The Main Sponsors for Traincomms 2026 are Icomera, Huber+Suhner and Nomad Digital. Westermo, Hughes Europe, CGI, Unwired and Eutelsat are also Sponsoring the Conference. Antonics is an Expo Sponsor.

Tickets to attend the Conference are available now via http://traincomms.com/book1.cfm

For more information on attending this year’s Conference please contact [email protected]

The full programme for the 2026 Traincomms Conference can be reserved here: https://www.traincomms.com/#content2b