Scotrail On Board Wifi

[Chew Chew]

Does anyone know how much bandwidth is available on the likes of a class 170?

Like everyone else who uses it I am thankful for being able to use it when out of mobile range but the extremely slow speeds and getting disconnected every 5 minutes or so are a bit of a pain and make it difficult to use.

 

[rebmcr]

When I used it on Dundee - Edinburgh a few months ago on a Sunday morning, it was the only good onboard WiFi I have ever used, whereas I have experienced the issues you describe on Virgin and East Coast every other time.

I guess it must depend on location and maybe even which unit you end up on. The Scotrail landing page informed me there were around 7 people connected along with me that morning.

My only complaint was that the landing page made it impossible to use it with my 3DS, because the connection resets between closing its browser and loading up a game, and the landing page doesn't remember the device.

 

[najaB]

Does anyone know how much bandwidth is available on the likes of a class 170?

Like everyone else who uses it I am thankful for being able to use it when out of mobile range but the extremely slow speeds and getting disconnected every 5 minutes or so are a bit of a pain and make it difficult to use.

Based on the time I got a Three (network) landing page while connected to the wi-fi I guess it's as much bandwidth as you get with a mobile broadband dongle - so anything from 0 to 20Mb/s depending on location.

 

[170401]

The wifi on the 170's isn't great and it only takes a few users to slow it down to a crawl.

The system recently fitted to the 158s (701-736/38-41 only) is vastly superior and if you have the opportunity (170/158 combo or alternative services) I would recommend it.

 

[hacman]

The 170s are equipped with a system from one provider, and the 380s and 158s are identical systems from another provider.

Was it a 170 where you got the Three landing page? As Three have no involvement in either system at that level.

Perhaps someone had a mobile-hotspot and was just up to no good!

 

[Liam]

Whenever I have used it I've found it excellent, although both times there was only 2 or 3 other users.

 

[najaB]

Was it a 170 where you got the Three landing page? As Three have no involvement in either system at that level.

It was indeed a 170 where I got the page - it was in the dead spot between Dunkeld and Stanley Junction. I did think it a bit odd, tbh.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I've found that the WiFi on the 170's from Glasgow to Perth to be absolutely appalling. It's unbelievably slow, and like 170401 said, if other users are also on it then its grinds to a halt.

It's Icomera that got given the WiFi contract, but 99.9% my phone signal is much faster than what Scotrail provide...

 

[hacman]

I've found that the WiFi on the 170's from Glasgow to Perth to be absolutely appalling. It's unbelievably slow, and like 170401 said, if other users are also on it then its grinds to a halt.

It's Icomera that got given the WiFi contract, but 99.9% my phone signal is much faster than what Scotrail provide...

Icomera were only awarded the class 170 contract. The 380s and 158s went to another provider.

 

[Carlisle]

It's Icomera that got given the WiFi contract, but 99.9% my phone signal is much faster than what Scotrail provide...

Sounds very similar to those Icomera Moovbox devices that are fitted on many busses too that rely on the multiple 3/4g mobile networks ,I don't think they have satellite backup or anything like their more elaborate East Coast system does

 

[Chew Chew]

I've found that the WiFi on the 170's from Glasgow to Perth to be absolutely appalling. It's unbelievably slow, and like 170401 said, if other users are also on it then its grinds to a halt.

It's Icomera that got given the WiFi contract, but 99.9% my phone signal is much faster than what Scotrail provide...

I use it going from Aberdeen to Perth normally and obviously those trains end up in Glasgow.

It was that slow that it timed out when I tried to do a speed test.

 

[SeanG]

I found the 380s were teh best for wifi, but then again they were empty when I used them last summer.

The 170s I used were fine but slower than teh 380s.
Ironically the fastest bit of internet was at the summit of the Highland Main Line. It was good enough to watch the world cup (it was dark ok)

 

[pnepaul]

Two contrasting experiences.

On the 13.40 Haymarket to Inverness, the WiFi didn't appear work at all. mind the train was packed.

Today I have been to the Kyle of Lochalsh and back, and the WiFi was quite good. Rather impressive given some of the remote locations.

 

[leightonbd]

Does anyone know how much bandwidth is available on the likes of a class 170?

Like everyone else who uses it I am thankful for being able to use it when out of mobile range but the extremely slow speeds and getting disconnected every 5 minutes or so are a bit of a pain and make it difficult to use.

That is about my experience also; it is such that you are grateful when it does work, but you can't rely on it, certainly not for any length of time. Downloading emails and maybe replying to one or two is about the practical usage limit.

I think EC wifi is rather better, certainly north of York.