Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RebelRocket (RebelRocket: 10x better Wi-Fi for the passenger transportation industry)

Teaser

RebelRoam is disrupting passenger connectivity by making Wi-Fi faster for travellers and less expensive for transportation companies around the world. Passengers expect fluid user experience with Wi-Fi that is always available, unlimited and unrestricted. RebelRoam\'s...

Summary

RebelRoam is disrupting passenger connectivity by making Wi-Fi faster for travellers and less expensive for transportation companies around the world.

Passengers expect fluid user experience with Wi-Fi that is always available, unlimited and unrestricted. RebelRoam\'s technology enables dynamic fairness in managing concurrent Wi-Fi users. At the reduces mobile broadband costs by up to 80%, which creates a relief for the passenger transport industry struggling with high cost of mobile data provision (especially roaming charges).

RebelRoam is developing an onboard Wi-Fi data traffic optimisation solution called RebelRocket Cloud that reduces data consumption and cost while significantly improving passenger Wi-Fi experience. This is done by filtering, shaping and accelerating data traffic. The most bandwidth heavy applications (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram etc.) are filtered and optimized and certain traffic like illegal content and automatic updates can be blocked. This results in faster Wi-Fi, allowing more concurrent users, yet at the same time reducing data consumption and cost. Passengers are happier because they can access more content while transport operators keep their cost under control. It is cloud-based, equipment and network agnostic and can be conveniently implemented remotely, within minutes, worldwide.

This solution helps to solve the main challenges the European transport industry faces today. Furthermore, it reduces mobile broadband costs by up to 80%, decreases legal compliance risks and creates competitive advantage for transportation provider by raising passengers’ satisfaction with the unlimited and fluid Wi-Fi user experience. Thus, in the long-term RebelRocket has positive effects on public transportation usage.

The main objective of this Phase 2 RebelRocket project is to achieve RebelRocket’s market readiness by further developing and piloting data traffic management algorithms and software and gaining market traction. As a result, RebelRocket will be ready for full commercialisation in Europe and USA (with initial focus on key target markets Germany, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and the Baltics). Today, RebelRocket solution has been validated as an MVP (minimum viable product), but it needs further development to achieve market traction and to scale. Already in mid-2018, RebelRoam is servicing 2M unique passengers (end users) per month in 38 countries.

Work performed

\"WP1 Research for RebelRocket’s traffic optimisation software
Work done:
• Wi-Fi usage data is collected.
• Data traffic patterns are analysed based on data usage of passengers using Wi-Fi in different modes of transport and target countries.
• User profiles are formulated and types of user behaviours simulated based on data usage patterns.
• Physical testing lab environment has been set up.\"\"

WP2 Development and testing of RebelRocket hardware and software
Work Done:
• The most suitable hardware solution and its components are identified and cloud-based solution is tested.
Work in Progress:
• RebelRocket key elements – traffic scheduler, shaper, policy controller and TCP accelerator – are tested, fully developed and integrated together.
• A dashboard for clients (task 2.3.) and a management dashboard for RebelRoam (task 2.4.) are fully developed.

WP3 Apply for certificates and the highest IP protection
Work in progress:
• IP protection possibilities are identified and attained.

WP4 Market demand creation and raising awareness of RebelRocket
Work in progress:
• Commercialisation strategy is improved.
• Communication campaign in all target countries is realized.
• Leading industry events and relevant trade fairs are attended.
• Meetings with potential test users are arranged.

WP5 Increase investment readiness, revenues and job creation rapidly
Work in progress
• Preparation of B-round investments strategy.
• Preparation for organizational scale-up performed.\"

Final results

RebelRocket technology contributes to the twin societal pressures of urbanisation and digitalisation by improving the speed and quality of Wi-Fi in mass transportation. The rapid pace of global urbanisation threatens the environment and citizen well-being. Excessive private vehicle usage and overstrained public transportation networks result in traffic congestions and (gasoline/diesel engine) pollution.

However, research shows that Wi-Fi can be part of the solution: Wi-Fi availability on public transport leads to an increase in passenger numbers. RebelRocket helps to accelerate the growth of Smart Cities in Europe while reducing the pressure on public issues of urbanization and digitalization via ICT-based solution by improving the speed and quality of Wi-Fi in mass transportation. By enhancing user experience of on-board Wi-Fi, RebelRocket increases the appeal of public transportation. At the same time, RebelRocket eases the pressures of ICT-based economy by bringing widely accessible, fast and reliable mobile connectivity to public spaces and by enabling people to be productive while on the move. Thus, in incentivising public transport use, RebelRocket positively impacts on the environment, citizens’ quality of life as well as economic competitiveness.

Website & more info

More info: https://www.rebelroam.com/.