IARNRÓD ÉIREANN is to test a wireless internet service for passengers on its Dublin to Cork route, starting early next month.
The trial will be used to establish demand and is likely to be followed by a public tender to equip much of the company’s main intercity lines with the necessary equipment to provide the service.
Four wireless network providers have been invited to take part in the trial, due to last for about six months. Each provider will initially be allocated a train on the Dublin to Cork line. “It’s our busiest route so it’s the most appropriate for the trial,” said Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny.
“We will publicise the service in stations, on trains, on our website, through social media and through media activity.”
Commuters with laptops or mobile phones will be able to access the Internet using Wi-Fi. Each carriage will have a single wireless access point to cater for the number of passengers who are likely to use the service. According to the managing director of trial participant FleetConnect, Patrick Cotter, each train can accommodate between 30 and 40 simultaneous Wi-Fi users.
The backhaul signal from the train to the Internet will be over the 3G mobile networks. Iarnród Éireann has its own fibre-optic network which runs along the rail lines but this is not being used during the trial, Mr Kenny said.
Evert Bopp, managing director of another trial participant Airappz, welcomed the trial. “The fact that it is happening is a good thing. Even if we don’t win the tender, ultimately it’s essential for Ireland and the economy that we have this service on public transport.”
The service will be available at various prices for the duration of the trial. Several private coach operators already offer free Wi-Fi to passengers. But Iarnród Éireann’s trial is likely to involve a combination of a free and paid model.
Mr Cotter said FleetConnect would offer both options. “We may put in a charge to see how it affects usage. The main thing is to put a business case together for Irish Rail.”
Airappz said its Wi-Fi access would be free of charge. When logging on, users will see a website with location-based advertising and other services which Mr Bopp said would create sufficient revenue to avoid having to charge a usage fee.
One of the most significant technical hurdles with providing Wi-Fi on trains is that they move quickly between base stations, which can lead to peaks and troughs in access speed for users.
The trial had been put back from last summer to test the feasibility and reliability of the Wi-Fi technology.
Mr Kenny said coverage levels were “strong” across most of the Dublin to Cork line.
