[Article] Wireless broadband being rolled out in January

[plant43]

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/t...es-439095.html

Irish Rail and Irish Ferries passengers will be able to access a new wireless broadband internet service from January.

The new technology will allow travellers to avail of high-speed internet access on a range of different devices throughout the rail network and on journeys across the Irish Sea.

Irish firm Fleetconnect is to instal the technology on the ferries and trains.

[Mark Gleeson]

As I more or less guessed ages back, its the Icomera boys who are the leaders in the field

Dublin Cork only on the train due woeful 3G coverage

So much for the vapourware we do it for free company that vanished as quickly as it appeared

[KSW]

Thats great to hear. Over in Moldova they have wireless internet in restaurants,pubs,parks everywhere its great when you have an internet phone.

[DangerM]

Wifi would be great on the train, I use the wireless O2 broadband on the Gorey Line, only place I get disconnected is Greystones to Bray.

[Mark Gleeson]

But it won't make it run on time

[dowlingm]

No wifi on the Ardrahan express - the wesht betrayed again

[evert]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

As I more or less guessed ages back, its the Icomera boys who are the leaders in the field

Dublin Cork only on the train due woeful 3G coverage

So much for the vapourware we do it for free company that vanished as quickly as it appeared

We didn't dissappear Mark, we were in follow-up discussion with Irish Rail and did not want to publisize details before everything was confirmed.

Your negativism is just puzzling to say the least..

Evert Bopp.

[MidlandDeltic]

WiFi was available on Ulysses before and after Xmas - at an eye-watering €5 for 30min or €8 per hour! Even my Meteor dongle only costs €2.95 per day / €15 per month!

[James Shields]

8 per hour? Ouch. I sailed with Stena last September and had free WiFi on board. They were giving access codes at the customer service desk, so it may have been an introductory offer.

[tigger1962]

wifi is free on stena line in the premier lounges only.

I tried to use mobile broadband on the cork train and the service was quite bad especially compared to the northern line. Though I would not pay those prices unless it was a business expense.

[laoisfan]

Hi

If this is a duplicate thread please close & forgive.

I commute from Ballybrophy to Dublin and usually hop on the Cork train (first train which leaves Cork).

My HTC Hero mobile picked up the Irish Rail Wifi. Irish Rail said they are running trials for the next 6 months (not sure when this started).

Just thought I would post. So anyone with a laptop, iPod Touch/iPhone, Android Phone and you travel Dublin-Cork-Dublin...there you go...for a while at least.

Doubt if other routes have it.

Thanks - Ray (laoisfan)

[Mark Gleeson]

Only one train is fitted currently, think its set 4008 or 4007.

We know its not provided by the Airappz, the outfit which appeared promised a whole pile and well vanished...

We believe this is provided by Fleetconnect as agents for Icomera who are one of the major players

Offical public launch of the trial is next week I'm told

[DangerM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

We know its not provided by the Airappz, the outfit which appeared promised a whole pile and well vanished...

I had wondered where Airappz went to! May stick to the broadband a while longer on the Wexford route by the looks of it.

[Thomas Ralph]

Joe the train host just told me it's 4008. There are stickers or cards on the train to advise people of the service.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...s-2126078.html

Free wi-fi for rail users
Tuesday April 06 2010

Rail users can make use of free wi-fi internet access on selected Dublin to Cork services, Iarnrod Eireann has said.

An initial trial of the service will last six months while rail chiefs assess the uptake.

Iarnrod Eireann said coverage was strong on the Dublin to Cork line, with access to mobile broadband networks from O2, Vodafone and 3.

If successful, the service will be rolled out to other routes including Intercity, DART and Commuter services.

"Many customers are already travelling with us because rail travel offers the scope to use travel time productively," said an Iarnrod Eireann spokesman.

"Wi-fi obviously broadens such scope dramatically."

Tests have shown that passengers should be able to get download speeds of up to 3.5 megabytes.

Press Association

"Tests have shown that passengers should be able to get download speeds of up to 3.5 megabytes." - is that collectively or individually?

And is megabytes per second? Minute? Hour?

[WIFI IN MOTION]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...s-2126078.html

"Tests have shown that passengers should be able to get download speeds of up to 3.5 megabytes." - is that collectively or individually?

And is megabytes per second? Minute? Hour?

Hi Colm,
This is megabytes per second, this is based on the initial technical and passenger usage so far since the system went live.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0406/rail.html

Iarnród Éireann to begin Wi-Fi trial period
listen Tuesday, 6 April 2010 11:54

Iarnród Éireann is to operate a free Wi-Fi internet service on this afternoon's Dublin to Cork intercity service.

The 4pm train from Dublin Heuston to Cork's Kent Station is part of trial to assess likely customer uptake and also the technical abilities of the service.

Only the 4pm train this afternoon will have the Wi-Fi trial, but tomorrow's trains at 7.30am, 11.00am, 2.30pm and 6pm will have the service.
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An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson said: 'We are hoping this will lead to a full introduction of Wi-Fi on Dublin/Cork, and its expansion to other routes - Intercity, DART and Commuter.'

The initial trial will continue for six months on one train route, which will be rotated through scheduled services.

The train-bound system has been designed and installed by Dublin-based FleetConnect.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by WIFI IN MOTION

Hi Colm,
This is megabytes per second, this is based on the initial technical and passenger usage so far since the system went live.

Hi, welcome and thank you.

"Tests have shown that passengers should be able to get download speeds of up to 3.5 megabytes." - again, is that collectively or individually? It might be quite possible when only one person is using it, but when many people are using it on a fullish train? Noting that an intercity train can have 400+ on board and a DART can have 1,000+ on board (although with iPads, not laptops ).

I suppose my question is, what range can people realistically expect? And where are the likely grey- and black-spots. I realise that part of the test is, in part, to determine some of that information.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=700

Wi-Fi trial on selected Cork-Dublin Intercity services by Corporate Communications

6th April 2010

Iarnród Éireann has announced that wi-fi trials are now underway on selected Dublin-Cork Intercity services.

The trial follows an assessment of technical aspects of a wi-fi service on the route, with strong coverage levels across the Dublin Cork line.

Initially, free wi-fi is available, and partners in the trial, Fleet Connect, will also offer web access to customers at a variety of price points, allowing Iarnród Éireann to assess the likely customer uptake.

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said “we are looking forward to this exciting initiative, to establish the uptake from customers for the wi-fi services, and to see the impact on the rail travel experience. We are hoping the option to avail of on train internet connectivity for all customers – from those checking social networking sites and e-mail to business customers – will prove popular, and lead to a full introduction of wi-fi on Dublin/Cork, and its expansion to other routes – Intercity, DART and Commuter. We would intend going to tender for a supplier partner to undertake this.”

The initial trial will continue for six months on one train set, which will be rotated through scheduled services. Rail bosses are already receiving enquiries on expansion of the facility. “Many customers are already travelling with us because rail travel offers the scope to use travel time productively. Wi-fi obviously broadens such scope dramatically.”

The train-bound system has been designed and installed by Dublin-based FleetConnect, who has also supplied other Irish transport firms with on-board Wi-Fi. “The system provides up to eight concurrent connections using mobile broadband networks from O2, Vodafone, and 3,” said Patrick Cotter, Managing Director at FleetConnect. “During the journey the Moovbox’s patented SureWAN technology will intelligently choose the best networks to use based on availability, and where possible aggregate those networks to provide a bigger ‘pipe’ to the train.”

From our initial testing Iarnród Éireann passengers will be able to achieve up to 3.5mbs download which will give them the ability to access the Internet to check their email, surf the web, play games and connect to their corporate network. The system is available on the full train set for everyone to use once they have a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a Laptop, I – Phone or smart phone.”

[Thomas Ralph]

I'm on the wi-fi train now. It's better than my O2 phone EDGE connection, but not especially fast.