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On Train WiFi

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Polarbear

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I used TPE wifi for the first time today, as O2 was offline. I was surprised to find I couldn't access this forum as they use OpenDNS with a rule to block all forums and discussion boards. Seems to me like an odd choice of content to block.

I found that on TPE, but it doesn’t seem to block all forums, just certain ones like this one!
 
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Mogster

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dont they just piggy back on the 3g/4g mobile network? So when a train goes through a no signal area, the whole train goes off line. or do they use the railway GSM now?

Yes, the last I read they just connected to the local phone network the same as your phone. The carriage can have a large aerial though so has a better chance of getting a signal.

What else could they use really?
 

Andy25

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Improved cl390 WiFi is being developed but don't know if it will become free.

I guess like hotels the pressure from customers will eventually lead to all access being free.
 

cactustwirly

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Thanks to all for the info.

If things change we can keep this updated.

Personally I think that ALL trains (and mainline stations (Doncaster, Sttatford, Kings Cross, Waterloo Manchester Pic & Vic) should all have free access wifi. At some stations I can usually find a local business (Boots, House of Fraser etc.) with free wifi.

All of EMT's and GWR's main stations have free WiFi
 

gtis

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I noticed that Yarm station as free WiFi
With O2 when I was there 2 weeks ago
Didn’t try getting this forum but I could get RTT to check the freight times
Neil
 

gordonthemoron

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The only train wifi I've used which was any good was an EC from Prague to Berlin (up until the German border, it didn't work in Germany), all wifi I've used in the UK has either been patchy or didn't work at all
 

Antman

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It’s fine having it, but much of it doesn’t actually work very well, if at all. It may well tick a franchise commitment box but, using an iPhone, Samsung or surface it is intermittent at best on (recent attempts to use it)

Virgin
XC
East coast
GWR
SWR

The money would be far far better spent on getting decent network reception on the trains so people use their own data and access like they do everywhere else. Surely that is better than relying on a WiFi network where you’re beholden to the train co ?
 

Dougal2345

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Have made this point before on this forum, but I feel that any train wi-fi should allow access to train information sites (eg National Rail Enquiries) without the user needing to faff about with logging in.

Actually the whole 'register to use' thing seems a bit pointless to me, since anyone with nefarious intentions will just use fake details, and logging in is a pain if your journey incorporates several changes of train, or different TOCs.
 

Ken H

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Have made this point before on this forum, but I feel that any train wi-fi should allow access to train information sites (eg National Rail Enquiries) without the user needing to faff about with logging in.

Actually the whole 'register to use' thing seems a bit pointless to me, since anyone with nefarious intentions will just use fake details, and logging in is a pain if your journey incorporates several changes of train, or different TOCs.
one wonders how many are registered to email address [email protected]
 

Llanigraham

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dont they just piggy back on the 3g/4g mobile network? So when a train goes through a no signal area, the whole train goes off line. or do they use the railway GSM now?

They do not use the GSM-R system.
 

Aictos

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The only train wifi I've used which was any good was an EC from Prague to Berlin (up until the German border, it didn't work in Germany), all wifi I've used in the UK has either been patchy or didn't work at all

You should try the wifi on board VR services in Finland, they put our wifi to shame with the kind of high speeds you expect at home with Virgin etc...

It was very fast, worked fantastic I couldn't fault it so why can they get it right and we are well to put it mildly dragging behind the times?

Was so easy to use too, can't remember if you had to log in or not but I was online in secs.
 

AY1975

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You haven't mentioned Caledonian Sleeper - I last went on it in October of last year, and from what I recall I think it's free but only available in the Lounge Car on the existing trains. Hopefully the new trains will have it throughout, though.

You also haven't mentioned Eurostar - again I think it's free, but reception is pretty rubbish. Ordinary 4G mobile coverage inside the Channel Tunnel is pretty good, though.
 

HowardGWR

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The money would be far far better spent on getting decent network reception on the trains so people use their own data and access like they do everywhere else. Surely that is better than relying on a WiFi network where you’re beholden to the train co ?
I use a mobile phone only very occasionally (and only in a vestibule if on a train) and do not have a smart phone. So I am very grateful when wifi is available for my tablet which fits neatly in my inside top pocket.
 

mde

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You haven't mentioned Caledonian Sleeper - I last went on it in October of last year, and from what I recall I think it's free but only available in the Lounge Car on the existing trains. Hopefully the new trains will have it throughout, though.
Are you sure? There's WiFi in the Mk5s, but, I don't recall there being any WiFi capability in the present stock. It'd have probably been a waste of money to try and fit it.
 

Dhassell

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Of all places... Polsloe Bridge station in Exeter has WiFi... struck me as being odd as it seemed to be the only tiny station in the are with WiFi...
 

Ken H

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I use a mobile phone only very occasionally (and only in a vestibule if on a train) and do not have a smart phone. So I am very grateful when wifi is available for my tablet which fits neatly in my inside top pocket.

some older phones that do not have wifi can still be used to tether to by using a wire between phone and tablet. You will have to google it.
 

Andy25

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It’s fine having it, but much of it doesn’t actually work very well, if at all. It may well tick a franchise commitment box but, using an iPhone, Samsung or surface it is intermittent at best on (recent attempts to use it)

Virgin
XC
East coast
GWR
SWR

The money would be far far better spent on getting decent network reception on the trains so people use their own data and access like they do everywhere else. Surely that is better than relying on a WiFi network where you’re beholden to the train co ?
Problem isn't easy to solve, on a train you're effectively sitting in a Faraday cage that's great for blocking phone signal. The windows have a transparent metal film over them to minimise UV radiation which makes it even worse for your phone.

I do know that new window technology has been developed with slots in the film to better allow the signal through, but the cost of replacing a fleets worth of windows as a campaign would be huge!

I don't think the glass is replaced often enough from damage to replace it on failure and have a good enough effect within any reasonable time.
 

Mikey C

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Going up the WCML recently I was quite impressed with the LNWR wifi, a decent signal whenever I tried to use it between Euston and Tamworth

Indeed it's slightly bizarre that the "cheap" stopping service has a better wifi product for Standard passengers than the premium Virgin service.
 

Aictos

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Going up the WCML recently I was quite impressed with the LNWR wifi, a decent signal whenever I tried to use it between Euston and Tamworth

Indeed it's slightly bizarre that the "cheap" stopping service has a better wifi product for Standard passengers than the premium Virgin service.

I have to agree and disagree at the same time!

Yes I have found the wifi to be quite good which is useful when I've travelled between Birmingham and Leighton Buzzard but isn't the data allowance quite low?

No idea who the provider is (not the wifi provider but the actual provider who provides the signal be it Vodaphone, EE or O2)

As to Virgin Trains, I did a Euston to Manchester service a few years ago using both branches while the route via Crewe had great wifi all the way on the way back via Stoke-on-Trent the wifi was rather hit and miss of course it could have improved by now...
 

WatcherZero

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Northern wi-fi is free at Northern Connect stations as well, non-northern connect stations generally don't have it, though a 3rd party has been partnering to offer it free at a few stations as a commercial enterprise (selling local advertising).

Its the governments aim ultimately for all Tocs to offer free wi-fi within the next couple of years and features in every franchise agreement when it comes up for renewal.
 

Intermodal

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I wonder how long I can make my location on this f
The only train wifi I've used which was any good was an EC from Prague to Berlin (up until the German border, it didn't work in Germany), all wifi I've used in the UK has either been patchy or didn't work at all
I think you've been very unlucky then. SWT, TPE, GC and LNER all have good wifi in my experience - and all of them are free. VTWC is hit and miss depending on location. I can't speak for many other TOCs.
 

alistairlees

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Are you sure? There's WiFi in the Mk5s, but, I don't recall there being any WiFi capability in the present stock. It'd have probably been a waste of money to try and fit it.
You are correct. There is no WiFi - free or otherwise - on Caledonian Sleeper. AY1975 is imagining things. Perhaps AY1975 logged on to the Virgin Trains (or Euston station) WiFi whilst in the lounge car, without realising.
 
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