In a world where passengers expect seamless connectivity on the go, Avanti West Coast has made it a priority to provide reliable, high-speed WiFi across its train fleet. With over 70 trains traveling through major UK cities, ensuring that passengers are always connected requires a robust, easy-to-manage connectivity solution. This is where Pelion stepped in, transforming Avanti’s connectivity with its innovative approach to IoT and mobile network management.

The Challenge: Managing Multiple Networks and Complex Billing Systems

Before collaborating with Pelion, Avanti West Coast struggled with managing a complicated SIM estate that connected their onboard WiFi routers to 4G networks. They were juggling multiple network providers, each with its own billing systems and platforms, leading to inefficiencies and added resource requirements.

“We needed a solution to consolidate all our SIMs and contracts into one easy platform, offering reliable coverage and competitive pricing.” - Abdul Qayoom, IT Service Manager at Avanti West Coast

The Solution: Simplified Connectivity Management with Pelion

Avanti West Coast turned to Pelion to simplify their connectivity management. With Pelion’s high-quality, low latency 4G connectivity across multiple Tier 1 networks, Avanti gained access to competitive pricing, streamlined billing, and powerful network management through a single portal.

Pelion’s IoT platform provided:

· Reliable 4G connectivity across multiple networks, ensuring seamless onboard WiFi.

· Straightforward billing and high-usage data plans tailored to Avanti’s needs.

· Easy-to-use management tools, offering full visibility into SIM usage and device status.

The implementation was rapid, with Pelion SIMs installed and tested within just one month, setting the stage for a more efficient and dependable connectivity solution.

The Result: Streamlined Operations and Increased Flexibility

With Pelion’s support, Avanti’s connectivity management became far simpler. The Pelion Portal enabled Avanti to easily monitor and adjust data usage, ensuring they could control costs effectively.

“I jump on the Pelion portal to order new SIMs, check usage, and manage invoicing, all in one place. The visibility Pelion provides has been fantastic.” - Abdul Qayoom

In addition to simplifying daily operations, Pelion SIM cards empowered Avanti’s onboard systems, including EPOS, CCTV, and backend technology, with secure, reliable connectivity. This solution proved essential for a high-usage environment, where more than 70TB of data is passed each month.

Future Plans: Expanding with Pelion to Embrace 5G

The success of Pelion’s solution led Avanti West Coast to expand their partnership. Pelion’s flexibility has been crucial for Avanti’s growth, as they now plan to enhance coverage along the West Coast Main Line and explore the potential of 5G connectivity.

“We have so much flexibility with Pelion,” Abdul says. “We can adjust our bundles as needed, depending on data usage. Pelion allows us to adapt, and we’re never locked into anything.”

Empowering a New Era of Travel Connectivity

The partnership between Pelion and Avanti West Coast has transformed how the train operator delivers WiFi connectivity. With plans to introduce 5G-powered onboard WiFi and further extend their service coverage, Avanti is on track to revolutionize public transport connectivity. Together with Pelion, they’re ready to lead the way in seamless, high-speed travel experiences for passengers across the UK.

“If you’re looking to take on a new connectivity provider, I would highly recommend Pelion,” Abdul concluded.

What Pelion Delivered to Avanti West Coast

• Reliable 4G Connectivity: Pelion provided high-quality, low latency 4G connectivity across multiple Tier 1 networks, ensuring effortless WiFi for passengers.

• Streamlined Network Management: Pelion simplified the management of Avanti’s SIM estate with a single platform, consolidating multiple providers and billing systems into one easy-to-use interface.

• Flexible, Competitive Pricing: Pelion offered competitive, high-usage data plans tailored to Avanti’s needs, providing cost-effective solutions for their large data usage.

• Simplified Billing and Invoicing: Pelion’s straightforward billing system enabled Avanti to manage costs effectively, with full visibility of data usage and invoices.

• Secure Connectivity for Onboard Systems: Pelion’s solution ensured secure and reliable connectivity for critical onboard systems, including EPOS, CCTV, and other backend technologies.

• Rapid Deployment: Pelion SIMs were installed and tested within one month, enabling a smooth transition and fast implementation.

• Future proofing with 5G: Pelion supported Avanti’s plans to implement 5G connectivity, helping them prepare for the next evolution of onboard WiFi technology.

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Pelion’s platform allowed Avanti to adjust data plans and bundles as needed, offering flexibility to meet changing needs without being locked into long-term contracts.

Empower your business with Pelion’s effortless connectivity.