Virgin Wi-Fi is hit by delays

Lack of access to trains has slowed Virgin's wireless rollout

The rollout of Virgin Trains’ onboard Wi-Fi internet access is suffering operational issues and the service is still undergoing trials a year after it was due to go live.

Virgin, currently working with Nomad Digital for the provision of the technology, blamed the delay on restricted access to trains to carry out the implementation.

“Testing is going well, but the delays have been caused by a difficulty in getting access to the trains,” said a Virgin Trains spokesman.

Nomad Digital claimed the service has been rolled out in the majority of Virgin’s fleet and the project is nearing completion.

In September 2006, the operator announced it would introduce the facility the following year, which would allow rail passengers travelling on the West Coast main line to browse the web and download data.

The proposed service would link Virgin’s trains to trackside wireless base stations, with radios located every few kilometres to ensure connection reliability.
The network, based on WiMax technology, would ensure uninterrupted connection even through tunnels.

So far, Virgin’s first-class lounges offer a wireless internet service, which was introduced by Broadreach Networks in 2004. At the time, the supplier was reported to be involved in the onboard Wi-Fi rollout, intended to start that same year.

Any issues arising during the project may be occurring due to poor planning, said Mark Blowers, senior research analyst at Butler Group.

“I cannot believe that trains are running all the time. There should be a way to ensure the technology is fitted, whether that is done overnight or during maintenance,” said Blowers.

“If there are issues in getting access to trains, Virgin Trains should have worked out ways to mitigate that beforehand with some good planning. Perhaps, their announcement [that onboard Wi-Fi would be available in 2007] was a bit p remature.”

The Wi-Fi service on the East Coast Line rail franchise, run by National Express, was introduced by previous operator GNER in 2004. Since last December, the service has been offered free of charge, prompting a rise in user numbers from 30,000 a month to more than 100,000 in January 2008.