Jul 23, 2014 - efforts to extend broadband connectivity in existing stations. .... Paris, San Francisco, New York, Lisbo
Press Release | For immediate release, July 23, 2014 Contact: Marina Bradbury,
[email protected], +33 6 17 79 17 72
Online & Underground: New Cities Foundation launches online tool mapping Internet connectivity in underground metro systems worldwide Paris, France July 23, 2014. The New Cities Foundation launched Online & Underground, an interactive online tool exploring the level of Internet connectivity across the world’s largest metropolitan underground systems. Online & Underground was created in partnership with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the New Cities Foundation’s Founding Member, Ericsson, and innovation agency FABERNOVEL. The Online & Underground interactive tool can be accessed at: bit.ly/OandU-2014 The Online & Underground info-graphic, comprising a selection of key findings, can be accessed at: bit.ly/OandU-2014-info Online & Underground: Key Findings Online & Underground reveals that: •
More than 3/4 of the subway systems surveyed provide some level of Internet access underground, either in stations (73%) or on-board trains (58%).
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The major Internet access technology underground is mobile broadband.
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The Middle East and Asia Pacific regions are leading the way in getting their subway systems connected – with 100% and 91% of surveyed underground systems currently offering connectivity, respectively.
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In Europe, 88% of underground metro systems are fully connected, in comparison to 67% in North and Latin America and 33% in Russia.
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Over the next 1-3 years, 68% of underground metro systems plan to increase their efforts to extend broadband connectivity in existing stations.
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60% of metro systems with Wi-Fi connectivity apply Wi-Fi restrictions today, and a slight increase is expected in the coming years.
How Will Online & Underground Help Cities? The aim of Online & Underground is to offer a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of the varying Internet connectivity in underground metro systems across the world. It is one step in an ongoing investigation into the future of urban mobility that the New Cities Foundation is spearheading. The study provides the basis for future comparative explorations of the impact of subway connectivity on urban life. So, for example, some broader questions that this study raises are: •
Why do people connect to the Internet underground? What do they do?
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How does a connected trip impact areas such as passenger satisfaction, productivity, retail activity, loyalty, and so on?
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Are there correlations between the level of underground Internet connectivity and propensity to use public transport, or with cities’ competitiveness, or economic productivity?
In the future, new, qualitative studies could be designed to answer these questions, for example, through comparative case studies that explore impact on social dimensions, such as citizen satisfaction with public transportation systems, safety and overall quality of life. Naureen Kabir, Director of the New Cities Foundation’s applied research arm, the Urban (co)LAB, said: “Internet connectivity in underground transport systems is becoming a significant indicator of quality of life in cities. Produced in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, Online & Underground is the first comprehensive survey of underground connectivity in subways and its implications on many sectors. The study offers a clear, easy-to-understand overview of where we are today, and, most significantly, it offers a springboard for observing how these trends will change over time to impact urban life.”
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Monika Byléhn, City Expert and Networked Society Evangelist, Ericsson, said: "Whether moving around cities above or underground, we use our smartphones on the go and expect instant, ubiquitous Internet access. For cities, mobile broadband technology is a critical infrastructure and should be considered an integral part of the underground metro system." Laurent Dauby, Director Rail Transport, UITP, said: “Urbanites are no longer content with being provided with fast, reliable metro connection from A to B. Nowadays, they expect travel experience with all comfort standards they are used to in their daily environment. Uninterrupted and fast broadband connection for their multiple devices is part of that. As a consequence, Internet connectivity is becoming a subject of paramount importance for the attractiveness and competitiveness of metros. This study helps to map where we are and hopefully will raise the awareness of more metros to deploy this lifestyle service.” Paul Bois, Project Director at FABERNOVEL, said: “At FABERNOVEL, we have had the opportunity to participate in many innovative projects for cities, in areas as diverse as transportation, utilities, energy, urban furniture and space management. Nowadays, what stands out is the incredible potential of digital technology to create new customer services. Connectivity has become essential, and nowadays it’s vital for digital services to be accessible at all times. Connected transport systems means better accessibility, information, passenger flows and comfort. FABERNOVEL scripted this recent development, and it is only a first step toward a more digital travel experience”.
Access the full Online & Underground report in this link http://bit.ly/OandUreport
Exploring the Future of Urban Mobility – an Ongoing Mission The New Cities Foundation’s wider work in the realm of urban transportation includes: •
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Cities on the Move – a thought leadership event on the future of urban mobility, held at Mountain View, California, March 2014: Newcitiesfoundation.org/citieson-the-move Re-Imagining Urban Mobility – article series: Newcitiesfoundation.org/re-imagingurban-mobility
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Connected Commuting – a study on how social apps aimed at commuters can enhance the daily commute: Newcitiesfoundation.org/connected-commuting
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Session videos from the annual New Cities Summit: New Cities Summit 2014: Global Air Hubs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPSGPsN45sI New Cities Summit 2013: The Future of Urban Mobility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhk0NzoyP20
The high level of coverage in the Middle East and Asia reflects their more recconstruction, compared to Europe or North America, where the systems were predominantly built befor80, and some even before World War
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Press Contact: Marina Bradbury Communications & Media Relations Manager New Cities Foundation
[email protected] +33 6 17 79 17 72
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About the New Cities Foundation The New Cities Foundation is a leading global non-profit organization with a vision to build more inclusive, dynamic and creative cities benefiting people and society. Its mission is to incubate, promote and scale urban innovations through collaborative partnerships between government, business, academia and civil society. The New Cities Foundation hosts a number of leadership events on the most pressing urban issues, including its flagship event, the New Cities Summit, which took place this year in Dallas, Texas, on June 17 – 19, 2014 (www.newcitiessummit2014.org). The Foundation’s think-and-do-tank, the Urban (co)LAB, manages pilot projects and thought leadership initiatives, such as Cityquest, a community of the builders of large-scale new city projects – incorporating a high-level event, fellowship program and working group (www.cityquest.net). The Urban (co)LAB also organizes the AppMyCity! contest for the world’s best urban app and the WhatWorks urban innovator speaker series. An independent, non-profit organization, the New Cities Foundation was created in 2010 and is financed by its members and partners. Overall, its members include some of the most forward-thinking companies, universities, cities and city organizations from around the world. The New Cities Foundation’s Founding Members are Cisco and Ericsson. The Foundation is based in Geneva and its head office is in Paris. For more information about the New Cities Foundation, please visit: www.newcitiesfoundation.org Facebook: /NewCitiesFoundation Twitter: @newcitiesfound
About Ericsson Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, businesses and societies to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.
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Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities. With more than 110,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front. Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2013 were SEK 227.4 billion (USD 34.9 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.
About UITP The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is a passionate champion of sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. We have 1,300 member companies giving access to 14,000 contacts from 92 countries. Our members are public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.
About FABERNOVEL The innovation agency FABERNOVEL combines technology, design and emerging trends to invent new products, services, and experiences. Our team of 100 passionate people help world leading companies to build growth at startup speed. Founded in 2003 and based in Paris, San Francisco, New York, Lisbon and Moscow, FABERNOVEL creates a symbiotic relationship between two seemingly opposite forces: the titans of the Fortune 500 industry and the up and comers of the startup world. We strive to be a platform where both can be stronger, faster and smarter.
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