01.05.06
Wifi installation nine months ahead of schedule
East Coast train operator, GNER, has revealed plans to complete the installation of wireless internet on all of its trains nine months ahead of schedule.
The decision comes following the success of the trial onboard ten of its rebuilt ‘Mallard’ trains. Due to popular demand from passengers, the entire GNER fleet will be wifi ready by August 2006, ahead of the original deadline of May 2007.
Christopher Garnett, GNER’s Chief Executive, said, “Wireless internet is already proving popular and versatile on board the ten trains which already have it. We are keen to bring the benefits to all GNER passengers as quickly as we can.”
Every GNER train, including the ten which were part of the original trial, will be fitted with the latest satellite, GPRS and 3G equipment, allowing faster connection speeds and ‘always on’ connectivity to the wireless network while on the move – even in tunnels.
GNER trains send and receive communications signals via a combination of a roof-mounted satellite dish and mobile phone antenna. Each coach along the entire length of the train is then connected via the onboard wireless network to create a wifi ‘hot-spot’ throughout every coach on the train.
Wifi access is free of charge to those travelling first class, and available on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis to all other passengers.
Usage on the ten ‘Mallard’ trains involved in the trial continues to grow rapidly, with several thousands of passengers making use of the technology each month.
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