The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which operates Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners, is rolling out improved wi-fi on its 351-mile route between San Luis Obispo, Calif., and San Diego.
“We know the importance of providing stable Wi-Fi for our passengers,” Donna DeMartino, LOSSAN Agency Managing Director, said in a press release. “Whatever the purpose of their travel, the ability to stay connected truly is invaluable.”
Technology firm Icomera, which is providing connectivity using its X-Series Mobile Gateway, says the upgrades through its advanced mobile router will allow 35% to 52% more devices to connect to the trains’ onboard network and deliver 34% to 48% more data per trip.
“Keeping LOSSAN’s passengers entertained, informed and productive throughout the journey is one of the easiest ways to improve the onboard experience,” said Icomera CEO Magnus Friberg. “Having Internet connectivity on the move is no longer seen as a luxury amenity for passengers, but a necessary service that operators must offer to remain competitive.”
How addictive WiFi is. From no one having any to now, (24 years) it is almost ubiquitous. And from bag phones that only a few had to brick phones to todays cell phones that everyone has is amazing. Anyone for implanting them?
Cell phones in tattoos were demo’ed at CES in 2019. They weren’t very functional, meaning, very powerful. The tat was also raised a little, so it appeared to be more of a skin attached appliance, but it was designed to look like a tat overall.
Icomera equipment is current and they use bandwidth shaping and throttling so that Mrs 4K Netflix in seat 3B isn’t sucking it all up from the email reading exec in 12C.
What most people don’t realize is that as good as Icomera equipment is, it can’t substitute for missing cell networks in all locations. They do offer a remote service to fill in gaps, but in the US, some of those gaps can be a hundred miles.
Many people who book these low budget bus services get surprised when the cell service gets spotty in some places in the US. While many people would say, “go get Starlink” it is not permitted for mobile use unless you are in their test program.
So as long as 4G/5G LTE service is decent, these WiFi services in Trains work well. And when you hit a dead zone, you are out of luck.
Wanna bet? Modify the theory. Usage will fill the total band width available.