GNER completes East Coast line WiFi

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 27 Oct 2006 at 14:44

GNER has completed the installation of wireless Internet access on its East Coast lines.

All 41 electric and diesel trains now have WiFi on board, making GNER the world's biggest operator of wireless-enabled train carriages and the UK's first all-WiFi fleet.

The trains send and receive communications signals via a combination of satellite dishes and 3G and GPRS mobile phone technology. Each coach is then connected via the onboard wireless network to create a hot-spot covering every carriage.

The project cost GNER £3.2 million; it will cost standard class passengers £2.95 for 30 minutes' access, £4.95 for an hour, £7.95 for two hours and £9.95 for 24. It is free to first class travellers.

'We are delighted that WiFi is now available on every GNER train,' said GNER chief executive officer Jonathan Metcalfe. 'Wireless internet has immense potential for both business and leisure users, and we're very encouraged by the usage levels and positive feedback from passengers.'