U.S. commuters to test Wi-Fi on trains

Free Wi-Fi on trains will been launched in Massachusetts this week in a bid to “encourage and incentivize people to take the train.”

The test run is a first for America, and will make Wi-Fi available on at least one coach of every train in the 45 mile line between Worcester, central Massachusetts, and Boston. The route is used by up to 18,000 passengers every day.

Use of Wi-Fi will be free, but unsecured. The internet connection is to come through a mobile-phone network - linked in by a 10-inch antenna on each wireless coach.

Internet connection through mobile networks offers limited bandwidth, which may be stretched to its limits by the sheer number of passengers going online whilst commuting.

The online FAQ for the service warns about the limited bandwidth, and requests that passengers use the wireless connection for simple surfing and emailing tasks, and not for downloading audio and video. There is also a caution about accessing ‘inappropriate content’.

Technical support is not available from the trains conductors, but there is a phone and email help service available for customers who encounter any problems.

The project has cost $262,000 - and equips just 45 coaches on a single route.