passenger using Wi-Fi

Heathrow Express offers net access on the move

Train operator believes passengers will use WiFi despite the short journey

Written by Dave Friedlos

Heathrow Express, the high-speed rail service from Central London to Heathrow Airport, is rolling out WiFi access on all its trains.

The service will provide 8Mbps broadband connection for the length of the journey, including through tunnels, to enable passengers to send email or surf the internet.

Passengers will be able to purchase WiFi access passes on board or at more than 200 shops in London, such as Starbucks coffee shops and Borders bookstores.

Passengers will be able to use the service, which is expected to be fully rolled out early next year, at other WFi hotspots in Heathrow after they have left the train.

Although the journey time on the Heathrow Express is just 23 minutes, the company believes the offer of continued access and waiting times of up to 15 minutes at platforms will ensure business and leisure passengers make use of the service.

Heathrow Express managing director Brian Raven says the train operator is constantly looking for innovative services to improve the train journey.

‘Customers will appreciate having continual web and email access during their journey,’ he said. ‘We have a commitment to provide customers with the latest technology to ensure we remain the choice for business and leisure air passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport.’

Heathrow Express has 5.3 million passenger journeys each year, with a significant proportion business travellers.

T-Mobile’s HotSpot service is being rolled out by partner Nomad Digital. T-Mobile already provides WiFi coverage at Heathrow Airport, including many airline lounges.

What do you think? Email us at feedback@computing.co.uk

Further reading

GNER completes WiFi installation on trains

Virgin Trains to launch WiFi service in 2007

Cost the main barrier to train connectivity

reader comments

related articles

 

Virgin Wi-Fi is hit by delays

Onboard web service due to arrive in 2007 is behind schedule 21 Aug 2008

Transport minister predicts end of the line for domestic flights

Lord Adonis commits to high-speed rail network capable of ending UK domestic flights 22 Jun 2009

Review 2008: Top 10 transport stories

From the disastrous opening of Terminal Five to the debate around smartcards for ticketing, we look back at the top stories from a sector that is increasingly reliant on IT 29 Dec 2008

related whitepapers

today's top stories

How to maximise the value of your IT networking investment

A panel of experts discuss networking strategies that deliver real value to business 03 Jul 2009

Habitat gets a web site makeover

The furniture retailer is revamping its online presence to provide a fully transactional web site. CIO Jacques Dekock explains why 02 Jul 2009

Government aims to bolster UK's cyber defences

Is the UK’s first national cyber security strategy up to the task of co-ordinating the country’s response to digital threats? Computing investigates 02 Jul 2009

Focus resources on what really matters

IT has become too caught up in the drive for efficiency, at the expense of business success 02 Jul 2009

From tracks man to tax man

Phil Pavitt, outgoing chief information officer for Transport for London, talks to Rosalie Marshall about the lessons he will take to his new role at HMRC 02 Jul 2009

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

More available - click 'submit' to view

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Advertisement

Jobs

Related jobs

Job of the week

Job alerts

Sign up here

Find your next job

IT Salary Checker

Check salary here

Advertisement

White papers

Search white papers

Top categories

VPN, Extranet and Intranet Solutions

WAN/ LAN Solutions

Network Security

Interoperability-Connectivity

Grid/ Utility Computing

Latest poll

Would you use social networking sites to look for a job?

Would you use social networking sites to look for a job?

Tell us what you think about job hunting through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter etc

View poll results

Latest audio and video articles

network cablesVideo

How to maximise the value of your IT networking investment

A panel of experts discuss networking strategies that deliver real value to business 03 Jul 2009

green footprintsVideo

How to manage enterprise energy use - and the role IT can play

A panel of experts explore how firms can get to grips with their carbon footprint and make smarter use of energy 01 Jul 2009

Latest in-depth articles

Phil PavittAnalysis

From tracks man to tax man

Phil Pavitt, outgoing chief information officer for Transport for London, talks to Rosalie Marshall about the lessons he will take to his new role at HMRC 02 Jul 2009

UPS worker making a deliveryAnalysis

Global standardisation delivers benefits at UPS

Delivery giant sees benefits of central IT solution 02 Jul 2009

Advertisement

Primary Navigation