We look at how HOTSPLOTS, part of the Wifirst Group, has spent nearly a decade turning Deutsche Bahn's Colibri platform into the connectivity backbone behind more than 1,700 vehicles.
In collaboration with HOTSPLOTS, Deutsche Bahn Fahrzeuginstandhaltung's Digitale Produkte am Fahrzeug unit set out to equip regional trains, and other forms of transport besides, with WiFi — as part of a much broader digital transformation across the rail network. What began as a single connectivity project has, over eight years, become a long-term platform strategy spanning thousands of vehicles and multiple modes of transport.
// THE CHALLENGE: Keeping a Huge, Moving Fleet Connected
Delivering that goal came with major technical challenges. The connection between train and land had to adapt in real time as signal conditions changed along the route. On a single journey, a train can move through open countryside, tunnels, and dense urban areas, so the network had to perform reliably in every environment.
That same connection also had to support a wide range of digital applications, from passenger WiFi to operational systems, all through one high-performance internet gateway. And because Colibri was designed for more than one type of vehicle, the solution also needed to scale across trains, buses, stations, and service centres. Each setting brought its own physical constraints and connectivity demands.
"As a long-standing partner, HOTSPLOTS impresses above all with its agility and versatility — whether in trains, buses, train stations or service centres. The flexible modularity, from WiFi light to unlimited customer WiFi, as well as expert knowledge of public passenger WiFi, makes HOTSPLOTS the perfect business partner!"
Eva-Luise Bauer, Head of Market Development for Colibri, Deutsche Bahn Fahrzeuginstandhaltung
// THE SOLUTION: Modular Hardware, Managed Connectivity, End to End
HOTSPLOTS provides the hardware behind the Colibri platform, with a modular design that can be adapted for different vehicle types and use cases rather than one fixed setup. That flexibility has been essential as Colibri has expanded over the years into new vehicles and environments far beyond its original scope.
As the Internet Service Provider for the platform, HOTSPLOTS also takes legal responsibility for the connectivity itself. That removes a significant burden from Deutsche Bahn and places the complexity in the hands of a specialist partner. At the core of the platform, HOTSPLOTS manages the train-to-land connection through HSVPN, giving every application in the Colibri portfolio the reliable, high-performance connectivity it needs, whether it supports passengers directly or works behind the scenes.
// THE RESULT: A Partnership That Has Scaled With the Network
Eight years into the partnership, more than 1,700 vehicles now run on the Colibri platform. As the network has grown, the partnership between Deutsche Bahn and HOTSPLOTS has grown with it — a strong example of a technology partnership that has scaled successfully over time.
Designed for flexibility from the start, the solution works just as effectively in trains and buses as it does in stations and service centres. It shows how a truly modular approach can deliver lasting value at scale.
