Reply to: Internet on Trains

[VectraMan]

I thought they were doing it with WiMax between posts alongside the tracks. I read somewhere the original Virgin system used a combination of wiMax, satellite, and regular WiFi in the stations. They probably also now use 3G as a fallback.

But I might be wrong.

[Lumiere]

Would that even be possible on a tilting, shifting, vibrating train doing 125 through trees and tunnels?

Well, it is possible on a tilting, shifting and vibrating Boeing 747 doing 485 mph ..

GSM does not normally work in tunnels too ?

[minestrone]

They should have invested in satellite internet

Would that even be possible on a tilting, shifting, vibrating train doing 125 through trees and tunnels?

[Lumiere]

On how it works? If you look there are little alcatel boxes on the side of the engines. I assume they are just mobiles really, blame the mobile operators as they cannot provide a decent speed, it is not the train operators who are the weak link.

They should have invested in satellite internet

[Lumiere]

For some reason, the T-mobile service on this train has identified me as being in Germany - so no BBC videos, and Google is in German.

EastCoast's internet is from Sweden, you get redirected to google.se

[minestrone]

How does this service compare to Scotrail's (via Falkirk)?

Purely on the train service? I much prefer it, carriages are much quieter, less stops, trains a cleaner and the staff don't have the attitude that scotrail staff do. Plus there is the bar in the evening. Usually more reliable as there are fewer trains on that line.

[The Wikir Man]

For some reason, the T-mobile service on this train has identified me as being in Germany - so no BBC videos, and Google is in German.

Ort der IP Adresse: Bonn in Germany	
ISP: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH

[centurian]

Ports can be one thing - but I've also had issues with some places (hotels etc.) using a double-NATing that the Cisco VPN Server didn't like.

Basically identifying my computer as a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend etc. which got it's knickers in a twist.

In theory it should still work, but none of us could be arsed to work out why given the advent of 3G dongles.

Some 3G dongles can be very fussy on trains for a variety of reasons (Faraday cage, 25Kv of electricity, contention with everyone chatting) whereas a voice call uses considerably less bandwidth.

[vandiss]

I get on the east coast every day and internet is fine, mind you there are bugger all people on it between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

How does this service compare to Scotrail's (via Falkirk)? O2's 3G coverage on that line is crap, would be great if Scotrail brought in WiFi - even Citylink buses have it, FFS!

[escapeUK]

Would suspect that the ports you need open are shut and they are just allowing web browsing / e-mail through.

[minestrone]

I get on the east coast every day and internet is fine, mind you there are bugger all people on it between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

On how it works? If you look there are little alcatel boxes on the side of the engines. I assume they are just mobiles really, blame the mobile operators as they cannot provide a decent speed, it is not the train operators who are the weak link.

[fullyautomatix]

And while we're on the subject, how is internet delivered to the train?
About 10 years ago a friend of mine did first trial installations, they were using gyroscopic ally stabilised dishes and satellite uplink at ca £1mil per train and the Internet was slow with high latency.
How is it done nowadays?

I think they use carrier pigeons, but do not quote me on that.

[Darren@UptonAccountants]

Vpn

Darren is an accountant not IT bod... lots of small words, no techie talk, delivered nice and slowly.....

Laptop, workie not on trainie. Connection not good. Man with screwdriver fix. Happies connection. Thank you.

Sad but true, mere accountant!

[Clippy]

east coast line's internet is useless, even CUK takes ages to load

That's nowt to do with East Coasts internet connx but due to all the bilge clogging up the board.

[Lumiere]

Happens all the time, using the east coast line. Logged in through Internet explorer, it finds the VPN but won't connect. Sounds like an issue for our IT people!

east coast line's internet is useless, even CUK takes ages to load