GNER on track for full WiFi access
Train firm completes access on electric trains ahead of schedule
Train operator GNER has extended WiFi access to all 30 of its electric Mallard trains allowing passengers to surf the internet and send and receive email.
It promised to roll out the wireless broadband service across its entire fleet of electric and diesel trains when it renewed its licence in May 2005 following a trial on 10 trains.
The fleet was due to be completed in May 2007 but popular demand from passengers prompted GNER to speed up the project and all trains will offer WiFi by the end of summer.
‘When the whole fleet is WiFi equipped, we will operate Britain’s first all WiFi train fleet,’ said GNER chief operating officer Jonathan Metcalfe. ‘WiFi offers immense potential for passengers and the feedback we’re getting is very encouraging.’
Work on fitting WiFi equipment to GNER’s fleet of 11 diesel trains is underway at the company's Craigentinny depot in Edinburgh.
The trains send and receive communications signals using a combination of a roof-mounted satellite dish and mobile phone antenna using 3G and GPRS technology.
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.
First Class passengers can access the service free while Standard Class passengers use a ‘pay-as-you-go’ principle. WiFi is also available free in all eight of GNER’s first class lounges.
Meanwhile, it is installing a next generation network for increased efficiency and resilience and to carry data traffic to staff and customers more speedily.
The network will link its 23 locations across the UK and eventually enable full convergences of voice and data.
Supplier Thus will migrate all stations and offices along its east coast mainline route onto a single point-to-point MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network.
In will also carry CCTV information to staff and support interactive services for customers such as real-time delay information that can be sent to mobile phones.
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Further reading
GNER to upgrade customer system