The Register®

Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/10/eurostar_preps_wifi_train_trial/

Eurostar preps Wi-Fi train trial

But not through the chunnel

By Tony Smith

Posted in Broadband, 10th February 2004 11:53 GMT

Free whitepaper – Hands on with Hyper-V 3.0 and virtual machine movement

Eurostar, the company that runs rail services through the Channel Tunnel, will offer passengers Wi-Fi Internet access later this year.

The move follows similar trial runs carried out by UK mainland train operators GNER and Virgin. However, unlike those services, Eurostar is believed to be considering offering the facility to all passengers, not just those travelling in First Class coaches.

Internet access will initially be offered as a trial which will commence after Eurostar begins a rolling stock refurbishment programme this summer. The project will cover all 27 of the company's trains.

Eurostar hopes the refurb will help win back passengers who have been tempted by no-frills airlines.

There's a flaw, however: Internet access will only be available while the train is travelling overground. According to a company spokesman, cited [1] by Mobile Commerce World, Eurostar will use satellite technology to connect the train to the Net. GNER uses a similar system, with back-up multiple GSM mobile phone links in place to maintain connections when trains pass under short tunnels and station roofs. Such links are of little help to a train passing through a 40km (23 mile) tunnel. ®

Related Stories

Wi-Fi providers target train travelers [2]
Delayed GNER Wi-Fi train trial steams out [3]
GNER to spend £1m on Wi-Fi trains [4]
Silicon Valley to get US' first Wi-Fi train [5]

Related Products [6]
Visit the Wireless, 802.11 & WiFi Department of The Reg mobile store [7]