Virgin Trains is planning to roll out Wi-Fi services on
its trains, despite many users of mobile data cards and even mobile
phone users complaining of difficulties in getting an adequate
connection on existing services.
Because Virgin’s new trains are “sealed” to the outside
environment, it is impossible to use a laptop data card on its
trains, which relies on a mobile network from Vodafone or Orange,
for instance, to access the internet.
These types of card are designed to allow users to access 2.5G
and 3G services. Virgin passengers also find that they get
regularly cut off when making a mobile phone call, if they can get
a signal at all while travelling on the sealed trains.
Virgin previously told Computer Weekly that all its trains would
be modified to overcome these problems, by allowing passengers to
easily get an outside signal.
It had promised the trains would be modified well over a year
ago, but passengers have found no improvement when trying to get a
signal.
Now, Virgin intends to introduce paid-for Wi-Fi services to its
trains, and is in the process of speaking to suppliers about
providing a high-speed internet service.
Some trains on the GNER line on the east coast have provided a
similar service for the past 18 months.
Virgin says it plans to introduce Wi-Fi over the next 12 to 18
months.