More hi-tech jobs are coming to the county with the merger of two pioneering firms that help internet users on the move.

Moovera Networks, an award-winning mobile Wi-Fi company, based at Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, has joined forces with Swedish firm Icomera.

Moovera, founded by Jim Baker two years ago, provides internet access for passengers on buses, coaches and trains. Gothenburg-based Icomera is the world’s leading supplier of industrial grade internet connectivity to trains.

While Icomera has focused on sophisticated and complex rail systems now used on more than 135 intercity and commuter trains in the UK and Sweden, Moovera has targeted a broader transport market. Its clients include National Express and First Group.

Under the deal, Moovera’s name will change to Icomera and its workforce at Kent Science Park rise to more than 40.

Moovera works closely with Kent-based suppliers of electronic components and subcontract metalwork, especially in the Medway area, and its expansion is expected to benefit other local companies.

Icomera, founded in 1999, will adopt the Moovbox brand for its new combined product line and adopt Moovera’s worldwide network of partners who sell and support Moovbox systems in their regional markets.

Mr Baker, Moovera’s chief executive officer who now becomes chief marketing officer for Icomera, said he was looking forward to growing the company in the UK, using the park as its research, development and manufacturing base.

"Kent Science Park is an extremely important location for Icomera and we expect to be ramping up our UK operations over the next two years as demand for our broadband gateway devices grows worldwide.

"We intend to develop our manufacturing facilities on site rather than outsource aboard, which will lead to an expansion of our workforce drawing on local resources."

He added: "The merger of our two businesses will create a single supplier with the best possible range of solutions for our customers worldwide."

Ola Sjˆlin, Icomera CEO, said: "The market for internet connectivity on public transport is developing at a very rapid pace. Whether for Wi-Fi hotspots, CCTV monitoring, vehicle tracking or streaming entertainment, real-time connections to buses and trains are increasingly in demand.

"Moovera has acquired a strong reputation in the industry as a developer of innovative yet price competitive technology and has established an impressive customer base that in many instances overlaps with our own.

"It was a natural progression for Icomera and Moovera to combine forces to offer a complete range of solutions from low-cost bus products to high-end systems certified for the railway industry. Moving forward we will continue to build on Icomera’s position as the dominant force in on-board vehicle communications."