September 09, 2003
WiFi on Trains, Part II
Back to the issue of WiFi on trains, a new report indicates that train travelers worldwide are expected to spend at least $420 million annually on in-transit WiFi service by 2008. And they expect at least 625 million people to travel on WiFi-enabled trains each year.
I'm of two minds on this issue. First, I think that in most places, WiFi will ultimately have to be free for it to ultimately be functional. Companies like Starbucks and McDonalds are currently trying to charge customers for using WiFi in their restaurants. Over the next several years, I see these charges disappearing, as Wifi will become just as free as their bathrooms or tap water. It will become a simple part of their offer, but they will not be able to charge additional fees for it -- there are too many people giving it away for free.
With transit, on the other hand, I think there may be a market for low-cost WiFi. I'd be willing to pony up another $5 a month for WiFi access on my morning commute, or even $5 a ride for WiFi access on an Amtrak ride from DC to NYC. And like I said before, I think this is what is going to save the train -- business travelers will be happy to take a train ride over renting a car or flying when they have the ability to work while in transit. I ultimately see it getting rolled into the cost of a train ticket, with people being able to "opt out" of service if they so wish.
[Article - Study Consultantcy]
Posted by aglazer at September 9, 2003 01:32 PM | TrackBackReference WiFi on trains.
I should like to draw your attention http://www.soshacom.com and in the UK http://www.soshacom.co.uk
Soshacom, Ltd. has successfully demonstrated high speed internet on trains in India and is on the point of deploying this technology there.
Soshacom, Ltd. is in discussions with two of the largest railway companies in North America and has recently signed a partnering agreement to provide locomotive and train telemetrics via their high speed infrastructure.
