T-Mobile to offer commuter train Wi-Fi

Snoozing or reading the paper on the way to work could become a thing of the past when T-Mobile launches a broadband wireless service on commuter trains.

The mobile operator will offer the broadband Wi-Fi service to passengers on Southern's express rail service between London and Brighton by early summer.

The service will also be available from March at 16 stations along the line, allowing travellers to surf the internet while waiting for their trains.

T-Mobile will also be offering passengers a free trial of the service on a limited number of trains on the route in March and April.

The service is made possible by the installation of Wi-Fi access points within the train's carriages, which in turn are connected to a WiMax network running alongside the tracks.

These links pass data in both directions at rates of up to 32Mbps, making it the fastest data link to a train anywhere in the world, the company claimed.

T-Mobile UK managing director Brian McBride said: "T-Mobile is fully committed to the introduction of Wi-Fi on trains.

"We see a growing trend for business users needing to access email securely on the move. Now T-Mobile is able to offer this by maintaining a constant data session for the entire journey."

Nigel Wallbridge, executive chairman at Nomad Digital, which is providing the wireless technology, added: "Although the London to Brighton line presents many challenges we have proved that high-speed wireless access to moving trains is possible without building huge towers or other costly infrastructure.

"Whether the train travels through tunnels, bridges or through high hedgerows, customers should not experience a drop in service."