Query Regarding Train Wifi

[LNW-GW Joint]

On a related topic, I have been trying out Google Maps on my new smartphone, in a variety of trains.
It seems easy enough to get a good GPS satellite fix inside DMUs (142/156/175 at least) so you can track your train's position (and speed with the right app) from your seat.
You have to be out of tunnels and stations with roofs of course, but should be accurate to 5m in the open.
I've been quite impressed by the accuracy of the tracking in both space and time, once it has got going.
The speed apps also give a pretty accurate readout (typically +/- 1-2mph).
It also worked on a VT Pendolino, but only if the phone was placed on the window cill, and on a Merseyrail 507.
Didn't work on an XC Voyager.
What are other people's experiences, particularly with EMUs?

 

[HSTEd]

Anyone who has purchased a wireless router in the last five years probably has 802.11n equipment - and just about every device with Wi-Fi will be 802.11n. Anything but the basic models will also have gigabit Ethernet too. One of my routers also supports the connection of a USB dongle, so I can use 3G (or 4G) as a fallback.

Gigabit ethernet seems a little overkilly for domestic use though..... since almost noone has connection speeds over 100MBit/s yet, certainly not speeds that could suppot more than that over several ports simultaneously.

Gigabit ethernet will have to weight for massive rollout of FTTH broadband, which is years away thanks to a lack of political will.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Gigabit ethernet seems a little overkilly for domestic use though..... since almost noone has connection speeds over 100MBit/s yet, certainly not speeds that could suppot more than that over several ports simultaneously.

Gigabit ethernet will have to weight for massive rollout of FTTH broadband, which is years away thanks to a lack of political will.

Of course, gigabit ethernet is useful for more than just internet connections. Home networks can also benefit from it (if you have multiple devices connected by ethernet that need to talk to each other).

 

[starrymarkb]

On a related topic, I have been trying out Google Maps on my new smartphone, in a variety of trains.
It seems easy enough to get a good GPS satellite fix inside DMUs (142/156/175 at least) so you can track your train's position (and speed with the right app) from your seat.
You have to be out of tunnels and stations with roofs of course, but should be accurate to 5m in the open.
I've been quite impressed by the accuracy of the tracking in both space and time, once it has got going.
The speed apps also give a pretty accurate readout (typically +/- 1-2mph).
It also worked on a VT Pendolino, but only if the phone was placed on the window cill, and on a Merseyrail 507.
Didn't work on an XC Voyager.
What are other people's experiences, particularly with EMUs?

Depends if the windows are treated, Voyagers have silvered windows to help reflect heat and keep the interiors cool on a hot day. A side effect is radio waves are reflected as well. GPS is pretty weak and is designed for outdoor reception

 

[Malderon]

I hope this isn't too OT but I was wondering if anyone could tell me how WiFi is actually provided on the trains. (Does it vary?)

Are there access points running track side along the route, or is it satellite internet on the train? (and then just access points in the carriages to distribute the satellite internet throughout train)

 

[jon0844]

Either a satellite receiver (dome) on the roof of the train [e.g. East Coast], or a ground based system using WiMax along the track [e.g. Southern and Heathrow Express]. I believe the system for use by Southern from London to Brighton cost £300,000 to install. Both also use one or more mobile data connections (3G or now 4G being introduced, with Heathrow Express being one to get 4G upgrades) using ordinary and existing cell sites.

There are then access points throughout the train, with a server somewhere to manage things and potentially speed cap users, block video streaming sites and P2P etc.

With ordinary users now able to enjoy speeds of up to 50Mbps over 4G, or up to 43.2Mbps using Three's DC-HSPA network, it is usually better to use your own connection.. although one advantage of the train system is that it has an antenna in a better position and even if the connection is lost, you don't lose your Wi-Fi connection in the train and can just wait (rather than risk various error messages and problems with apps).

Back in 2006, I sort of convinced Elaine Holt that Wi-Fi on FCC trains was probably not worthwhile (working in tech, I knew people would be increasingly using data on their own devices - but perhaps didn't consider the Wi-Fi only laptops, tablets etc). So you could possibly blame me partly for FCC not rolling out Wi-Fi on trains.

 

[Colin 2905]

We travelled on Grand Central from York to Hartlepool last Monday. The only thing that I could get from GC's WiFi was an IP address; no connectivity beyond that.

We'll be travelling on GC again next Wednesday; I'll see if it's any different then.

I did a day trip from Hartlepool to York and back last Monday, to visit the NRM. The return was on a GC service, so I tried the WiFi on that. This time I managed to load a few pages, but it was so slow that I gave up and went back to 3G via 3. The GC WiFi on the trip from Hartlepool to Kings Cross last Wednesday was much the same.

 

[Skimble19]

Who has wireless N in there house.....

Most wireless equipment is still b or g.

(N is mad because it uses phased arrays to point the beam at the device)

Pretty much every Virgin Media customer who's on a 30mb or more plan (or anyone with a SuperHub).. The amount of Wireless N devices in my house far outweighs the remaining G equipment, and I can't think of any B equipment at all.