Photos: Road testing wi-fi at 320kmph

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How does TGV train onboard service perform?

French train operator SNCF is running a trial of a wi-fi internet service onboard three TGV trains that travel eastbound from Paris via the Gare de l'Est station.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
TGV passengers on the wi-fi-equipped trains can use the onboard internet service for free at present - both in First class (pictured) and Second class coaches.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Passengers with their own wi-fi-enabled laptops (or smart phones) can get internet access during their journey at 2Mbps download and 512Kbps upload rates. The system, which is still in a test phase, only supports 50 users per train at present - or around 15 to 20 per cent of the total passengers per train.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The onboard wi-fi system delivers connectivity via a Eutelsat satellite link, seamlessly switching to wi-fi terminals for coverage in areas such as tunnels or stations where the satellite antenna (pictured) loses line-of-sight contact. Orange Business Services has provided the wi-fi hotspots.

Photo credit: SNCF

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Here a wi-fi-enabled laptop has detected the onboard network: WiFi-TGV. The other wireless networks listed are local networks in and around Paris' Gare de l'Est.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
First-time users of the wi-fi service are asked to register via an online form before gaining unrestricted access to the internet and a multimedia portal that is regularly updated with videos, news, city guides and other content. SNCF hopes the portal will help attract passengers to use the wi-fi service, which is unlikely to be free to use if it is rolled out commercially.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The portal also has real-time geolocalisation data - showing the speed the train is travelling at, how far the traveller has progressed on their journey and a map of the train's current location.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Here silicon.com reporter Natasha Lomas logs onto Google as the TGV travels east across France towards Switzerland. The train can reach a top speed of 320kmph which SNCF says presented extra challenges to developing the wireless internet access infrastructure.

Photo credit: Alper Cagatay

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
During the train trip from Paris to Basel, Switzerland, the internet connection was not always reliable - perhaps owing to the number of laptop-wielding journalists testing it out. However, when the system was up and running it handled streaming video from YouTube and playing QuickTime movie trailers without too many hiccups.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
However VoIP application Skype proved more of a challenge.

While it was possible to initiate a call - even a video call - the audio quality was poor and the call itself was dropped repeatedly.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
SNCF said the internet connection is available 98 per cent of the time on the test routes - with only the crossing of the Vosges Mountains not currently kitted out to facilitate passenger web access.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
But a rack of servers (pictured) on board each train ensures content on the multimedia portal is accessible to passengers 100 per cent of the time.

Photo credit: SNCF

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas
After several hours of browsing, checking email, testing Skype and accessing the VPN, it's time to leave the train and take in the sights of Basel, Switzerland.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

Published: March 28, 2008 -- 12:14 GMT (05:14 PDT)
Caption by: Natasha Lomas

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How does TGV train onboard service perform?

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Photos: Road testing wi-fi at 320kmph

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