altonchr
join:2006-05-13
New York, NY
| Wireless on Amtrak Acela
Fast Wireless | | 
Network List | | 
DSL Reports Test 1 | | 
DSL Reports Test 2 | |
As background, the Acela is the first class and business "express" train that runs between Boston and Washington, DC. It's just short of a requirement to have a laptop, PDA, or Smartphone to get on the train, and I've seen a lot of wireless internet modem cards plugged in or tethered smartphones over the years. So Amtrak offering the free service (for now) is actually a really big deal. Test and some wireless service I understand is available in the Northwest. This Acela route passes through several tunnels and underground stations making this effort challenging.
I whipped out my iPhone and found "amtrak_wireless_test_3" as an available network. I went to Safari, and agreed to the disclaimer page, and voila! I was surfing.
I eventually launched the DSL Reports iPhone App and ran a few tests (see attached images). I didn't get the greatest results - lots of latency. But I was also traveling at 148 mph (according to the g-spot app). I don't know what configuration their using, however, I'm assuming their using one or more Sprint Wireless accounts (the bus services use Sprint). As each car of the train is a big metal box, they must have one or two 802.11b/g transmitters in each car. I was in the third car, thus the network name. I can also assume the service was overwhelmed. In a bus you may have 6 or so riders sharing a service. On the this train there we're quite likely 100 at least trying the service out. The train was surprisingly full of suits for the off-peak afternoon commute.
Regardless, the service worked, I was able to do basic surfing on my iPhone without running up my data plan.
Until, New Haven...
Even though the conductor continued to announce the service after each stop, the service stopped working sometime around the arrival to New Haven, CT. The test network listed was no longer there. Several passengers, and myself, pointed this out to the conductor with only a polite "Thank you, I'll let them know" in response.
Another network name "amtrakwireless" did eventually appear, but no Internet service, then went off. I assume an engineer was tinkering.
I detrained at Penn Station (NY), so I don't know if the issue was resolved.
I'm sure this will get sorted. |
