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Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains?
Recently I tried on GW and SWT local services. At Paddington I was on a local - it had stickers which said that there was free wifi. I booted the laptop, and searched for wifi services. There was one labelled GreatWestern (or something), I connected to that. Then I tried to access BBC.co.uk but this was reported as unavailable or rather the DNS was. Usually this attempt should have thrown up a GWR splash screen. Then I tried GWR.com This went to another login website which did throw up a splash screen inviting me to set up an account. I entered suitable details. Then clicked on Submit. I got disconnected. I tried again, and the connection went through, and apparently an account was created. I then tried logging in, but the response was to send me to GWR.com - which was unavailable due to the DNS not being found. I gave up. On SWT the wifi connection flew - faster than Pret or McDonalds etc. - and I quickly created an account OK. I then logged in and decided to try BBC.co..uk This failed as the DNS was not being available. I then tried SWT.com and indeed it connected and went to a website to try and sell me tickets. Ah - but I was already on the train and din't want to buy tickets. But the selling site did work and it even searched for prices for a notional journey. But when I tried normal websites like BBC.co.uk and even Google.com all were unavailable due to missing DNS. So whilst all connections could be made, and indeed accounts could be created, the services failed to actually connect to any real websites. One word of warning - whenever trying to make a connection to a wifi service - or even connect with a mobile/ dongle - its best to be in a station. It seems that whilst on the move initiating a connection usually fails. BTW I'm glad they don't make a charge for these services since they are so unreliable. CJB. |
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On 15.05.16 15:46, CJB wrote:
Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains? Recently I tried on GW and SWT local services. At Paddington I was on a local - it had stickers which said that there was free wifi. I booted the laptop, and searched for wifi services. There was one labelled GreatWestern (or something), I connected to that. Then I tried to access BBC.co.uk but this was reported as unavailable or rather the DNS was. Usually this attempt should have thrown up a GWR splash screen. Then I tried GWR.com This went to another login website which did throw up a splash screen inviting me to set up an account. I entered suitable details. Then clicked on Submit. I got disconnected. I tried again, and the connection went through, and apparently an account was created. I then tried logging in, but the response was to send me to GWR.com - which was unavailable due to the DNS not being found. I gave up. On SWT the wifi connection flew - faster than Pret or McDonalds etc. - and I quickly created an account OK. I then logged in and decided to try BBC.co.uk This failed as the DNS was not being available. I then tried SWT.com and indeed it connected and went to a website to try and sell me tickets. Ah - but I was already on the train and din't want to buy tickets. But the selling site did work and it even searched for prices for a notional journey. But when I tried normal websites like BBC.co.uk and even Google.com all were unavailable due to missing DNS. So whilst all connections could be made, and indeed accounts could be created, the services failed to actually connect to any real websites. One word of warning - whenever trying to make a connection to a wifi service - or even connect with a mobile/ dongle - its best to be in a station. It seems that whilst on the move initiating a connection usually fails. BTW I'm glad they don't make a charge for these services since they are so unreliable. CJB. I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. |
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On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote:
On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Some ships have them. |
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And ... separately, I was in Bournemouth (a University town) about 3 years ago and all the buses had wifi.
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On 15.05.16 17:13, Graeme Wall wrote:
On 15/05/2016 16:43, wrote: On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote: On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Iberia live stream the tail mounted camera on occasion. Night take-off from Madrid was quite spectacular! Where can you see that? Some ships have them. http://www.cruisin.me/cruise-ship-webcams/ Do they have river or canal cruises? |
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On 15/05/2016 17:41, wrote:
On 15.05.16 17:13, Graeme Wall wrote: On 15/05/2016 16:43, wrote: On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote: On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Iberia live stream the tail mounted camera on occasion. Night take-off from Madrid was quite spectacular! Where can you see that? I've only seen it on the aircraft but I'm told there's some on the net. -- Graeme Wall This account not read. |
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On 15.05.16 18:26, Graeme Wall wrote:
On 15/05/2016 17:41, wrote: On 15.05.16 17:13, Graeme Wall wrote: On 15/05/2016 16:43, wrote: On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote: On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Iberia live stream the tail mounted camera on occasion. Night take-off from Madrid was quite spectacular! Where can you see that? I've only seen it on the aircraft but I'm told there's some on the net. That is to say, where can you see the live streaming? |
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On 15/05/2016 16:43, wrote:
On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote: On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Some ships have them. But not pointing into the cab :) -- Robin reply-to address is (intended to be) valid |
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On 15/05/2016 18:51, wrote:
On 15.05.16 18:26, Graeme Wall wrote: On 15/05/2016 17:41, wrote: On 15.05.16 17:13, Graeme Wall wrote: On 15/05/2016 16:43, wrote: On 15.05.16 16:38, Robin wrote: On 15/05/2016 15:57, wrote: snip I wonder if any TOCs would ever mount a camera on the front of their train to allow for live streaming. Would the RMT wear it? Thin end of the wedge, start of a slippery slope etc etc. Aeroplanes? Iberia live stream the tail mounted camera on occasion. Night take-off from Madrid was quite spectacular! Where can you see that? I've only seen it on the aircraft but I'm told there's some on the net. That is to say, where can you see the live streaming? Now, of course, I can't find it, probably don't do it any more :-( -- Graeme Wall This account not read. |
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On Sun, 15 May 2016 07:46:33 -0700 (PDT), CJB
wrote: Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains? Recently I tried on GW and SWT local services. At Paddington I was on a local - it had stickers which said that there was free wifi. I booted the laptop, and searched for wifi services. There was one labelled GreatWestern (or something), I connected to that. Then I tried to access BBC.co.uk but this was reported as unavailable or rather the DNS was. Usually this attempt should have thrown up a GWR splash screen. Then I tried GWR.com This went to another login website which did throw up a splash screen inviting me to set up an account. I entered suitable details. Then clicked on Submit. I got disconnected. I tried again, and the connection went through, and apparently an account was created. I then tried logging in, but the response was to send me to GWR.com - which was unavailable due to the DNS not being found. I gave up. On SWT the wifi connection flew - faster than Pret or McDonalds etc. - and I quickly created an account OK. I then logged in and decided to try BBC.co.uk This failed as the DNS was not being available. I then tried SWT.com and indeed it connected and went to a website to try and sell me tickets. Ah - but I was already on the train and din't want to buy tickets. But the selling site did work and it even searched for prices for a notional journey. But when I tried normal websites like BBC.co.uk and even Google.com all were unavailable due to missing DNS. So whilst all connections could be made, and indeed accounts could be created, the services failed to actually connect to any real websites. One word of warning - whenever trying to make a connection to a wifi service - or even connect with a mobile/ dongle - its best to be in a station. It seems that whilst on the move initiating a connection usually fails. BTW I'm glad they don't make a charge for these services since they are so unreliable. CJB. They vary, but reliable doesn't seem to be the right work. I find AGA's wifi on the Cambridge/Stansted line to be OK more often than not (but not by a great margin). I do really hate TOCs that try to charge you, though. Currently XC are top of my bad list, for trying to extract money for a very flaky service on a very flaky overcrosded two-car class 170. |
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I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do.
It is odd. On the English side the coffee shops and pubs have free wifi everywhere. That stops at Eurostar, and free wifi is very rare in France. |
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On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote:
I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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Arthur Figgis wrote:
On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. I believe the e300s will also have free wifi after the refit. Remember, until then, these are unrefurbished 20 year old trains. |
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On 16/05/2016 22:51, Recliner wrote:
Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. I believe the e300s will also have free wifi after the refit. Remember, until then, these are unrefurbished 20 year old trains. If the refit ever actually happens. -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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Arthur Figgis wrote:
On 16/05/2016 22:51, Recliner wrote: Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. I believe the e300s will also have free wifi after the refit. Remember, until then, these are unrefurbished 20 year old trains. If the refit ever actually happens. It's already started. |
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On Mon, 16 May 2016 21:55:33 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. The Sunday times journalist wasn't impressed by the Wifi (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/al...tar-8fhf9d06f). (Not, apparently, behind a paywall). |
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On 16/05/2016 23:53, Recliner wrote:
Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 22:51, Recliner wrote: Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. I believe the e300s will also have free wifi after the refit. Remember, until then, these are unrefurbished 20 year old trains. If the refit ever actually happens. It's already started. I thought there was only a "prototype" one, and the rest hadn't been done? -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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On 17/05/2016 09:39, BirchangerKen wrote:
On Mon, 16 May 2016 21:55:33 +0100, Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. The Sunday times journalist wasn't impressed by the Wifi (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/al...tar-8fhf9d06f). (Not, apparently, behind a paywall). It is from here.. -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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On Tue, 17 May 2016 17:56:28 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote: On 17/05/2016 09:39, BirchangerKen wrote: On Mon, 16 May 2016 21:55:33 +0100, Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. The Sunday times journalist wasn't impressed by the Wifi (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/al...tar-8fhf9d06f). (Not, apparently, behind a paywall). It is from here.. How odd. I'm not a Times digital subscriber yet can access the article using Edge, but not from Chrome or Firefox. I suppose it may have set a cookie when I entered the open-to-all Where Was I competition a few weeks ago. |
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On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. It is odd. On the English side the coffee shops and pubs have free wifi everywhere. That stops at Eurostar, and free wifi is very rare in France. Is it really "very rare" in France? I'm not so sure of that. Under French law you do have to register, but I don't think this needs to involve more than providing an email address. Major stations have free wifi provided by SNCF. |
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On 17/05/2016 18:19, Mizter T wrote:
On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. It is odd. On the English side the coffee shops and pubs have free wifi everywhere. That stops at Eurostar, and free wifi is very rare in France. Is it really "very rare" in France? I'm not so sure of that. Based on a week's holiday a couple of weeks ago, I would say wifi in France is much rarer than in Romania and somewhat rarer than in the UK, but rather more common than in Germany. One issue is that it is often password-protected, which can cause language issues asking for it. Croatia has a good system where cafes print the password on your receipt (which comes with the order, rather than at the end). France is not good at having obvious names for wifi, which often seem to be things like pqr1234_94 rather than cafe_rene_free_wifi or seaview_hotel_guest or whatever. Something called Free Wifi (or similar) seemed to crop up everywhere, but I couldn't work out how to create an account - the registration button didn't work. Under French law you do have to register, but I don't think this needs to involve more than providing an email address. I wonder how much traffic gets through in a day? Major stations have free wifi provided by SNCF. -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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On Tue, 17 May 2016 18:43:37 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote: Is it really "very rare" in France? I'm not so sure of that. Based on a week's holiday a couple of weeks ago, I would say wifi in France is much rarer than in Romania and somewhat rarer than in the UK, but rather more common than in Germany. One issue is that it is often password-protected, which can cause language issues asking for it. Free wifi my become more widespread in Germany: http://gizmodo.com/a-rule-change-in-...ree-1776731037 -- jhk |
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On 17/05/2016 20:33, Jarle Hammen Knudsen wrote:
On Tue, 17 May 2016 18:43:37 +0100, Arthur Figgis wrote: Is it really "very rare" in France? I'm not so sure of that. Based on a week's holiday a couple of weeks ago, I would say wifi in France is much rarer than in Romania and somewhat rarer than in the UK, but rather more common than in Germany. One issue is that it is often password-protected, which can cause language issues asking for it. Free wifi my become more widespread in Germany: http://gizmodo.com/a-rule-change-in-...ree-1776731037 Hurrah! prepares for next trip by bookmarking Gross Eins Monatlich website and listing elderly Paraguayan relative's old uniform collection on eBay -- Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK |
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So I won't need my dongle on the Dangelbahn?
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On Mon, 16 May 2016 23:43:34 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote: On 16/05/2016 22:51, Recliner wrote: Arthur Figgis wrote: On 16/05/2016 19:42, Offramp wrote: I really thought Eurostar would have free wifi by now. Perhaps the newer trains do. The Velaros do (or at least the one I used did...), but not for the whole route - coverage in France especially is very patchy. I believe the e300s will also have free wifi after the refit. Remember, until then, these are unrefurbished 20 year old trains. If the refit ever actually happens. Is it just the refitted ones that are in the new colours? Because I was on one today and there was no WiFi. It was also overall rather poor compared with the ICE I was on before that... The SWT WiFi is (or was) broken because registration is done on an insecure page. I made up an email address, of course. The WiFi on that ICE was much better. The free version, from the homepage, has real-time train info and Deutsche Bahn stuff, as well as news. It is a beta service, but the original one is similar, just less pretty. If in first class, the "login" link goes straight to free internet, which seemed to perform well, until crossing into Belgium when even the WiFi access point was switched off! Our TOC efforts really do need to be better. At least take the chance to inform passengers about themselves for no effort. Richard. |
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On Sun, May 15, 2016 at 07:46:33AM -0700, CJB wrote:
Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains? On East Coast and Virgin it seems to work very well when it works at all. Having to "sign in" is a bit of a pain and I don't really see why they bother given that they can't verify any of the nonsense I put in to create an account, and I assume that most people just fill in a load of ********. When it doesn't work at all - well, that's OK, everywhere I go has sufficient mobile data coverage. -- David Cantrell | Pope | First Church of the Symmetrical Internet Repent through spending |
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On Sun, 15 May 2016 07:46:33 -0700 (PDT)
CJB wrote: Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains? Recently I tried on GW and SWT local services. At Paddington I was on a local - it had stickers which said that there was free wifi. I booted the laptop, and searched for wifi services. There was one labelled GreatWestern (or something), I connected to that. Then I tried to access BBC.co.uk but this was reported as unavailable or rather the DNS was. Usually this attempt should have thrown up a GWR splash screen. Then I tried GWR.com This went to another login website which did throw up a splash screen inviting me to set up an account. I entered suitable details. Then clicked on Submit. I got disconnected. I tried again, and the connection went through, and apparently an account was created. I then tried logging in, but the response was to send me to GWR.com - which was unavailable due to the DNS not being found. I gave up. On SWT the wifi connection flew - faster than Pret or McDonalds etc. - and I quickly created an account OK. I then logged in and decided to try BBC.co.uk This failed as the DNS was not being available. I then tried SWT.com and indeed it connected and went to a website to try and sell me tickets. Ah - but I was already on the train and din't want to buy tickets. But the selling site did work and it even searched for prices for a notional journey. But when I tried normal websites like BBC.co.uk and even Google.com all were unavailable due to missing DNS. So whilst all connections could be made, and indeed accounts could be created, the services failed to actually connect to any real websites. One word of warning - whenever trying to make a connection to a wifi service - or even connect with a mobile/ dongle - its best to be in a station. It seems that whilst on the move initiating a connection usually fails. BTW I'm glad they don't make a charge for these services since they are so unreliable. CJB. WTF do you want for FREE? |
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On Mon, 23 May 2016 13:14:38 +0100
David Cantrell wrote: On Sun, May 15, 2016 at 07:46:33AM -0700, CJB wrote: Has anyone had any success with the various wifi services on trains? On East Coast and Virgin it seems to work very well when it works at all. Having to "sign in" is a bit of a pain and I don't really see why they bother given that they can't verify any of the nonsense I put in to create an account, and I assume that most people just fill in a load of ********. The fewer trains that have wifi the better. Nothing more annoying that some clod tapping away doing his work in his seat because he's not competant enough to get it done in the office, or some teenagers squeeling over some vacuous crap on farcebook. -- Spud |
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CJB writes:
One word of warning - whenever trying to make a connection to a wifi service - or even connect with a mobile/ dongle - its best to be in a station. It seems that whilst on the move initiating a connection usually fails. But ensure that you are connecting to the WiFi on the train which you are on and not that at the station or an adjacent train. |
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