There's now a network called free_Train_WI-FI showing up, but it's password protected.

Worst kept secret it is Fleetconnect/Icomera who got the contract

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...i-2822438.html

The proposals to cover all other intercity routes are nowhere near as far advanced as the article would suggest

Edit PR from Fleetconnect with someone other than Barry Kenny...

http://www.fleetconnect.ie/pdfs/pres...ease_IR_V3.pdf

Compared to the size of the box 4 years ago when I met Icomera in the UK, its now tiny http://icomera.com/assets/Uploads/do...6-PS-EU-r5.pdf

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/...w&news_id=1165

Some clarity

Its the Dublin Cork fleet plus 60 of the ICR fleet (there are 10 * 6 coach first class sets) But no mention of Dublin Belfast.

Routes which will be covered

1. Dublin Cork
2. Dublin Tralee direct
3. All first class services to/from Galway/Limerick/Waterford

In that case there is no plan to offer service to Westport/Rosslare/Sligo as these do not have first class, plus coverage particularly on the Rosslare line rules out a reliable service

coverage between Blackrock and Killiney is particulary patchy.

I know this is the responsibility of the mobile telcos but as this one of the busiest stretches of line in the country is there any benefit in RUI making representations to them to improve coverage? Its their customers who are unable to work on this section.

I've managed an unbroken conversation between Dun Laoghaire and Bray by phone... O2/Esat as it was were the first to cover the cliff between Dalkey and Bray. Sitting inside a steel box it is very difficult to ensure a good signal as you are effectively shielding yourself from the signal. Irish Rail will be deploying GSM-R on the DART in coming years so that will provide complete coverage even in tunnels and on DART underground as the equipment will likely be shared to offset costs. The Cork Tunnel has a vodafone leaky feeder cable fitted.

Rosslare is a problem due to the number of tunnels and the very very isolated countryside. Greystones - Wicklow, Rathdrum - Arklow and around Enniscorthy are real problems

Irish Rail has conducted surveys on key routes to locate the gaps and has leaned on the mobile companies to fill in the gaps.

The train wifi has the benefit of roof mounted antennas for the GSM/EDGE/GPRS/UDMA connection, two modems per network, with up to 8 modems in each unit, so you could get pretty fast performance. The antennas are key to beating the 3G cell shrinking problem.

To be honest, I have no idea why they put phone coverage into the tunnel in Cork. At that point everyone is either taking their seat or getting ready to disembark. But I shouldn't complain. It's the cuttings round Blarney that needs better coverage in the Cork area.

Regarding WiFi generally, I hear all CDE sets to be kitted out by the end of September.

What's the story with the wifi rollout? The website still says that it will be rolled out fully on the Cork route by the end of the month but it still seems to only fitted on one set as has been the case for nearly 2 months.

Earlier this week, they said within 2 weeks.

While the timetable keeps slipping, I'd like to think that means they'll have it by the bank holiday weekend.

Each carriage has to be fitted in turn, its only when all carriages in a set are fitted does it work.

Its working fully on one set, thats not to say other sets are not working in a partial fashion, lower coach letters more likely to work

3 trains are now fully fitted

http://irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=1165

2nd time in 3 journeys that Wi Fi isn't working.

I suspect I may be in the same carriage (this evening operating as coach G on the 18:00 to Cork).

Drop an e-mail to support@fleetconnect.ie with the details.