UK Trains Take WiFi Route To Connectivity

Randy Sparks writes "The BBC is reporting that one of the UK's largest train operators, GNER, is to offer Wi-Fi net access on its trains. What's interesting is how this net connection will be achieved - by a combination of networks provided by multiple mobile phone connections or even digital TV Internet, provided from ground stations the train passes by. It'll cost UKP4.95 per hour for train goers, although First Class Travellers will get it free..."

Comments

Expensive

[Anonymous Coward]

Thats about 8USD to you! No suprises that the pricing is expensive, rail travel is more expensive than air travel in the UK sometimes!

Re:Cheap WiFi

[canavan]

I'd suspect that some sort of access credentials will be printed on the tickets, so you may have to go dumpster diving instead - or just ask someone who's not going to use it anyway.

Re:Through the rails or over the power lines?

[weave]

There's also the minor fact that not too much of the rail lines are electrified to consider!

Priorities

[Cleggmeister]

However, it was also announced this morning that major operators have deferred the safety recommendations made following a major rail crash some years ago. An independent inquiry recommended the installation of digital radios to help prevent drivers overshooting red signals. This announcement from the operators means that the recommendations will not be actioned until 14 years after the inquiry published its findings. To rub salt into that wound, there is also involvement from OfCom (UK communications regulator) over the sharing of such frequencies, with concerns that such radios may operate on similar frequencies to public access services. And the goveernment seem surprised that its public are reticent to give up their private cars?!

Why is WiFi so expensive everywhere?

[CGP314]

I don't know that much about how the technology works, but it seems to me that there is almost 0 new infrastructure necessary -- but everywhere I go in London, WiFi is outrageously expensive. Can someone with more technological knowledge than I explain this? Perhaps I'm missing some cost, but it seems to me that if they charged 1GBP/hour people would use it without thinking. But, when the cost is higher than the minimum wage, second thoughts arise.


-Colin

Re:Why is WiFi so expensive everywhere?

[Cleggmeister]

It is not disputed that these costs are prohibitive to the "public at large", however I would guess that the majority of users would be corporate, hence offset the costs via expenses. This, unfortunately, is indicative of the UK comms industry. Only of late are the providers packaging their products for domestic consumers as opposed to corporate users. Maybe in five years time the UK will have reached the level that most developed countries already enjoy.

The cost

[Mr_Silver]

It'll cost UKP4.95 per hour for train goers

Given that your battery will go flat after no more than two hours, it's only going to cost you about a tenner anyway :o)

Of course i'm ignoring the fact you might have a spare battery - but also I think that Virgin Trains are the only ones at the moment to offer power points in their trains. First class only.

Re:Noooooo!

[Anonymous Coward]

They've always made money from being late, that's what the buffet car is for!