GNER trials on-train broadband

Internet and email services from anywhere on the train

Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) has started a trial offering passengers wireless broadband internet access on its trains.

Passengers travelling on one East Coast mainline train operating between London's Kings Cross and Aberdeen and Inverness, will be able to access internet and email services from anywhere on the train, if they have wireless laptops and PDAs.

After the three-month trial, GNER will assess plans for a roll-out across its entire fleet of high-speed trains.

The company told Computing in August that it is so confident of the success of the service that passengers will shun other forms of transport in favour of the train (Computing 14 August).

GNER is also piloting bluetooth-enabled iPAQ handhelds on certain trains, allowing train crews to request information on disruptions, delays and changes to departure and arrival times in order to provide better updates to passengers.

'It is proving extremely popular with both crews and passengers,' said Neil Atkinson, IS customer services manager at GNER.

Swedish wireless data communication solutions provider Icomera and UK reseller ISC Computers are working with GNER on the WiFi trials, with ISC providing the support desktops, laptops, printers and servers in stations, trains and at our regional offices.

GNER says it is still reviewing which companies will provide iPAQs and WiFi once the trial has ended.