[Article] Wireless broadband being rolled out in January

[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.”

[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.”

Wi-Fi available on the following trains on Wednesday 7th April:

07.30 Cork-Heuston
11.00 Heuston-Cork
14.30 Cork-Heuston
18.00 Heuston-Cork

(Availability may be subject to change)

[Colm Moore]

http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2010/04/06/

Dublin-Cork passengers to trial free Wi-Fi service
By Ross McDonagh

RAIL users can make use of free Wi-Fi internet access on selected Dublin to Cork services, Iarnród Éireann has confirmed.

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

Iarnród Éireann 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 Irish Rail 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 Iarnród Éireann spokesman.

‘Wi-fi obviously broadens such scope dramatically.’

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

Iarnród Éireann said it will monitor the uptake of the service and how it impacts on the rail travel experience:

‘We are hoping that 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.’

Patrick Cotter, managing director at Fleet Connect, which is setting up the system, said customers will be able to access the internet using any Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as laptops, iPhones or smart phones.

‘The system provides up to eight concurrent connections using mobile broadband networks from O2, Vodafone, and 3. 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,’ he said.

‘From our initial testing Iarnród Éireann passengers will be able to achieve up to 3.5Mb per second downloads, which will give them the ability to access the net, check their e-mail, surf the web, play games and connect to their corporate network.’

[Colm Moore]

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/...s-begins-today

Free Wi-Fi for Irish rail passengers begins today
06.04.2010

Passengers taking the train between Dublin and Cork will be able to enjoy free internet access as part of a trial scheme being rolled out from today.

Iarnrod Eireann said free Wi-Fi connectivity for the intercity train between the two cities will be trialled for six months, after which a pay model will be introduced at varying rates.

Carried out in association with FleetConnect, who already supply wireless internet connectivity to several bus lines around Ireland, including Aircoach and CityLink, the Wi-Fi connectivity will tap the three major mobile broadband networks: Three, O2 and Vodafone.

[dowlingm]

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/s...pril-2010.html

Norway: Nomad Digital has signed a £1·5m contract to supply Stadler with broadband communications for 50 Flirt EMUs ordered by NSB, the first use of Nomad technology as part of a new build. As well as providing internet access, the 5 MB/sec connection will be used to monitor on-train systems.

(emphasis added)

[Mark Gleeson]

The Icomera technology used in Mk4 is designed to allow remote access to the train for maintenance

What was GNER in the UK used it for all kinds of things, including stock management of catering, remote control and diagnostics of the coaches and a live feed from the black box of the locomotive which allowed monitoring of the train and indeed information about the infrastructure. The fact you could surf the net became quite a secondary issue.

In the Mk4 case they should be able to bring up the control control computer screen on a PC in Heuston and from there control everything and work through problems remotely, the coach control computer knows everything including access to the CCTV. It also means the seat reservation list can be pulled down at any location currently only Heuston and Cork can cope

[dowlingm]

Just so long as the Quality of Service and the firewall rules are properly set though - the last thing we need is some d**khead changing the res signs to "Micko woz ere"

Also, does this mean that when fully rolled out, a destination sign for Dublin-Tralee is set to "Wellington Bridge" that someone in IE might actually know AND do something about it?

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

Just so long as the Quality of Service and the firewall rules are properly set though - the last thing we need is some d**khead changing the res signs to "Micko woz ere"

Also, does this mean that when fully rolled out, a destination sign for Dublin-Tralee is set to "Wellington Bridge" that someone in IE might actually know AND do something about it?

The fear is they would change it to "Micko woz ere".

[Colm Moore]

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

Wi-Fi available on the following trains:


Thursday 8th April

12:00 Heuston Cork 14:50
15:30 Cork Heuston 18:20
19:00 Heuston Cork 21:55


Friday 9th April

09:30 Cork Heuston 12:25
13:00 Heuston Cork 15:55
16:30 Cork Heuston 19:30
21:00 Heuston Cork 23:55

Availability may be subject to change

http://twitter.com/irishrail/

Friday 9th April's wi-fi trains: 09.30 Cork-Heuston, 13.00 Hn-Cork, 16.30 Cork-Hn, 21.00 Hn-Cork

[Mark Gleeson]

When the whole wifi on trains thing started out I managed to speak with people in Icomera and got the full briefing about the tech. There is a separation between the internet and the other stuff, same box but kept separate using standard VPN technlogy

The ability to remote diagnose the train has serious benefits to reliability, so if the heating dies it can be reset if an external door gives trouble and so on. We don't know if Irish Rail are using the feature but the box on the train can do it.

[Colm Moore]

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

Wi-Fi available on the following trains:

Saturday 10th

09:30 Cork Heuston
13:00 Heuston Cork
16:30 Cork Heuston
21:00 Heuston Cork

Sunday 11th
10:30 Cork Heuston
14:00 Heuston Cork
17:30 Cork Heuston

Monday 12th
07:00 Heuston Cork
10:30 Cork Heuston
14:00 Heuston Cork
17:30 Cork Heuston

Availability may be subject to change without notice

[sean]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

The fear is they would change it to "Micko woz ere".

Scarily, that's not as unbelievable as it should be ...