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#1
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Public internet access on the london underground
In the past, there has been discussion about allowing mobile phone
operators to install base stations below ground and provide some coverage for folks on trains. This is yet to happen? I was on a tube train today and was thinking sod that... What we really need is internet wireless hotspots on each train, connected to the rest of the world via the train wheels? Could the use of Power Line Technology (as done in the home with those plug-in mains ethernet adaptors) help here? Be far more useful to the travelling public than a mobile phone service that enables Sharon to witter inanely about the minimun distance she should dance from her handbag at the disco... -- Adrian C |
#2
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Public internet access on the london underground
"Adrian C" wrote in message ... In the past, there has been discussion about allowing mobile phone operators to install base stations below ground and provide some coverage for folks on trains. This is yet to happen? I was on a tube train today and was thinking sod that... What we really need is internet wireless hotspots on each train, connected to the rest of the world via the train wheels? Could the use of Power Line Technology (as done in the home with those plug-in mains ethernet adaptors) help here? The problem is that even if it did work there would be no-one to pay for it. Whatever system is implemented it has to be one which charges for use, otherwise no-one is going to make the investment in installing it tim |
#3
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Public internet access on the london underground
On Sep 10, 11:09*pm, Adrian C wrote: In the past, there has been discussion about allowing mobile phone operators to install base stations below ground and provide some coverage for folks on trains. This is yet to happen? I was on a tube train today and was thinking sod that... What we really need is internet wireless hotspots on each train, connected to the rest of the world via the train wheels? Could the use of Power Line Technology (as done in the home with those plug-in mains ethernet adaptors) help here? Be far more useful to the travelling public than a mobile phone service that enables Sharon to witter inanely about the minimun distance she should dance from her handbag at the disco... I'd imagine there's pretty much zero chance Power Line Technology could possibly be made to work in the way you describe - and that's without thinking about the potential (or rather, I'd think, very real) conflicts with signalling systems. |
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Public internet access on the london underground
In message
, at 05:39:51 on Sun, 11 Sep 2011, Mizter T remarked: I'd imagine there's pretty much zero chance Power Line Technology could possibly be made to work in the way you describe But some kind of leaky feeder or beacon system would. Don't get too distracted by the technology rather than the funding and sociology. -- Roland Perry |
#5
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Public internet access on the london underground
On Sep 11, 2:57*pm, Roland Perry wrote: In message , at 05:39:51 on Sun, 11 Sep 2011, Mizter T remarked: I'd imagine there's pretty much zero chance Power Line Technology could possibly be made to work in the way you describe But some kind of leaky feeder or beacon system would. Don't get too distracted by the technology rather than the funding and sociology. I was just addressing that particular bit of the OP's question. Agreed about the broader point - if someone wants to pay for it, then it'll happen. Fitting equipment in deep level tunnels however isn't that easy a proposition - there'd need to be a near enough as can be 100% guarantee that it wouldn't catch fire, nor interfere with any safety critical LU kit such as signalling or comms, plus there'd be the very real issue of maintenance access. Let's see what the response is to TfL's invitation to tender for providing wifi at "up to 120 stations" after the well received six- month trial run at Charing Cross run in conjunction with BT - the TfL press release says "A contract will be awarded to the chosen bidder by the end of 2011"... http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/medi...ive/19623.aspx |
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Public internet access on the london underground
In message
, at 07:53:32 on Sun, 11 Sep 2011, Mizter T remarked: Fitting equipment in deep level tunnels however isn't that easy a proposition - there'd need to be a near enough as can be 100% guarantee that it wouldn't catch fire, nor interfere with any safety critical LU kit such as signalling or comms, plus there'd be the very real issue of maintenance access. They fitted mobile access into the Heathrow Express tunnels years ago. Also the tunnel on the Oslo airport express. None of the issues you mention would be special to the London tubes. -- Roland Perry |
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Public internet access on the london underground
On Sep 11, 4:24*pm, Roland Perry wrote: In message , at 07:53:32 on Sun, 11 Sep 2011, Mizter T remarked: Fitting equipment in deep level tunnels however isn't that easy a proposition - there'd need to be a near enough as can be 100% guarantee that it wouldn't catch fire, nor interfere with any safety critical LU kit such as signalling or comms, plus there'd be the very real issue of maintenance access. They fitted mobile access into the Heathrow Express tunnels years ago. Also the tunnel on the Oslo airport express. None of the issues you mention would be special to the London tubes. And the T&W Metro has had it since the early/mid noughties. However they are all are smaller networks / lengths of tunnels, the tunnels themselves are all of a larger bore, and they are all of at least relatively modern construction. I'm not suggesting it'd be impossible on London Underground, merely that the issues are likely to be somewhat exacerbated. Perhaps the most pertinent point is that no telecoms company has as yet installed any mobile access on the LU network, even just on stations (though see my earlier comments re the wifi project) - it's not like TfL haven't been interested either: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03...ile_cancelled/ Some pertinent comments from a TfL spokesperson in the above piece... ---quote--- A spokeswoman for TfL said: "London Underground tendered for a trial of mobile phones on the Waterloo and City line, but the market has yet to provide us with a credible proposal for enabling mobile phone use on the Tube. "While it is technically possible to deploy mobile phone and data wireless solutions on the deep level Underground tunnels and stations, the unique nature and environment of the Tube mean that project costs would be prohibitively high at this time." ---/quote--- |
#8
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Public internet access on the london underground
In article , Roland Perry
scribeth thus In message , at 07:53:32 on Sun, 11 Sep 2011, Mizter T remarked: Fitting equipment in deep level tunnels however isn't that easy a proposition - there'd need to be a near enough as can be 100% guarantee that it wouldn't catch fire, nor interfere with any safety critical LU kit such as signalling or comms, plus there'd be the very real issue of maintenance access. They fitted mobile access into the Heathrow Express tunnels years ago. Also the tunnel on the Oslo airport express. None of the issues you mention would be special to the London tubes. Wouldn't be any problem at all Google "leaky feeder" if your interested. Plenty of it in tunnels already!... -- Tony Sayer |
#9
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Public internet access on the london underground
On Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:09:42 +0100, just as I was about to take a
herb, Adrian C disturbed my reverie and wrote: In the past, there has been discussion about allowing mobile phone operators to install base stations below ground and provide some coverage for folks on trains. It will get blocked by numpties worried about 'radiation'. -- Cheers DrT ______________________________ We may not be able to prevent the stormy times in our lives; but we can always choose to dance in the puddles (Jewish proverb). |
#10
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Public internet access on the london underground
In message , at 11:03:48 on
Mon, 12 Sep 2011, DrTeeth remarked: In the past, there has been discussion about allowing mobile phone operators to install base stations below ground and provide some coverage for folks on trains. It will get blocked by numpties worried about 'radiation'. Although the leaky feeder (rather than base-station) approach will defuse that argument immediately. -- Roland Perry |
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