Queensland Rail Free Wi-Fi

[ozbob]

Feeback received, I will see what I can find out later today.

What's happening with WiFi on the trains that was supposed to be 25% completed by Oct 2011? I've seen the WiFi train once (# 261 I think it was) but while the WiFi worked, it was not advertised anywhere that it was WiFi enabled that I could see.

I've not seen any other trains, stories or indications that it is still being rolled out. What gives?

[Arnz]

There has been reports on the QR Facebook site that SMU288 now has it installed, but is not working in one of the carriages.

[Fares_Fair]

A complete roll-out will not be completed until the end of 2012.
This was in answer to a question via a QR webinar with the Customer Advocate.

I asked when the Sunshine Coast may expect to see the Wi-Fi on its trains, silly me thinking that the longest distance travellers would make good use of it for work since the journey takes 2 hours to Nambour.

Answer was around October 2012.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Derwan]

Roll-out was to commence in November 2011.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/wifi.aspx

The service will be available on 64 of our newer trains by the end of 2012.

[Arnz]

SMU294 now has wi-fi fitted.  Spotted whilst onboard IMU180 on the 1pm Brisbane to Nambour train.

[ozbob]

SMU294 now has wi-fi fitted.  Spotted whilst onboard IMU180 on the 1pm Brisbane to Nambour train.

++++

[Derwan]

277 is now wifi enabled.

[Golliwog]

So far wifi enabled sets are:
SMU: 270, 277, 288, 294
IMU: 161, 165, 166, 177

Any others I've missed? Maybe repost this each month or something to keep the list up to date?

[petey3801]

So far wifi enabled sets are:
SMU: 277, 288, 294
IMU: 161, 165

Any others I've missed? Maybe repost this each month or something to keep the list up to date?

Noted 270 is enabled today also. Is 168 done? (seem to recall seeing this one, but not certain...)

[petey3801]

IMU177 has been enabled.

[Arnz]

IMU166 is enabled.  Sighted this morning substituting for the ICE on the 7:53am counterpeak Caboolture-Nambour service.

[Golliwog]

So far wifi enabled sets are:
SMU: 270, 277, 288, 294
IMU: 161, 165, 166, 177

Any others I've missed? Maybe repost this each month or something to keep the list up to date?

Updated.

[ozbob]

Onboard SMU266, using the Queensland Rail WiFi service, working well ...

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Free WiFi on Queensland Rail trains

Free WiFi on Queensland Rail trains

Date August 2, 2012 - 12:48PM

A new brand campaign launched yesterday by the brisbanetimes.com.au, publisher of this website, will bring free public Wi-Fi to Queensland Rail trains.

The move also marks the first time QR has allowed a coordinated commercial marketing campaign on the inside of city trains, bringing the network more in line with rail operators overseas where internal advertising is standard practice.

A QR spokeswoman said the transport provider began testing expansions to the amount of space available to advertisers early this year.

She said extra space would help make QR more commercially viable with benefits passed on to rail users.

The new Wi-Fi service, launched in partnership with this website, is part of a new commercial suite which includes space on the outside of trains, additional internal advertising comprising fixed frame posters and more decals located within the carriage.

"This is a pilot program which will be assessed at the end of the trial," the spokeswoman said. "We are seeking feedback from the advertisers and customers.

"Train advertising is a good example of how Queensland Rail is embracing initiatives that support the commercial viability of our transport services without compromising core operations."

The brisbanetimes.com.au campaign is live from today, and will see 64 QR trains furnished with Wi-Fi transmitters.

Users can access the service with any wireless enabled device.

The campaign will run for six weeks.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-wifi-on-queensland-rail-trains-20120802-23h4t.html

[HappyTrainGuy]

Ummm.... what now?

[aldonius]

That would explain why my laptop auto-loaded brisbanetimes.com this morning...

[nathandavid88]

... but hasn't QR been running free WiFi for months now?

[ozbob]

... but hasn't QR been running free WiFi for months now?

Yes.  It seems that Brisbanetimes has brought some 'advertising space' on the service so their site is up front on the system ..

The article is poorly written in some respects.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Obviously whoever worte it doesn't use the train to and from work and doesn't know that certain trains already have wifi and that their intended purpose was for remote live CCTV. They've made it seem like it was their idea that trains will have wifi fitted.

[huddo45]

Ummm.... what now?

I'm getting this mental picture of QR Staff with logos all over them, like football players

[Fares_Fair]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Free WiFi on Queensland Rail trains

Free WiFi on Queensland Rail trains

Date August 2, 2012 - 12:48PM

A new brand campaign launched yesterday by the brisbanetimes.com.au, publisher of this website, will bring free public Wi-Fi to Queensland Rail trains.

The move also marks the first time QR has allowed a coordinated commercial marketing campaign on the inside of city trains, bringing the network more in line with rail operators overseas where internal advertising is standard practice.

A QR spokeswoman said the transport provider began testing expansions to the amount of space available to advertisers early this year.

She said extra space would help make QR more commercially viable with benefits passed on to rail users.

The new Wi-Fi service, launched in partnership with this website, is part of a new commercial suite which includes space on the outside of trains, additional internal advertising comprising fixed frame posters and more decals located within the carriage.

"This is a pilot program which will be assessed at the end of the trial," the spokeswoman said. "We are seeking feedback from the advertisers and customers.

"Train advertising is a good example of how Queensland Rail is embracing initiatives that support the commercial viability of our transport services without compromising core operations."

The brisbanetimes.com.au campaign is live from today, and will see 64 QR trains furnished with Wi-Fi transmitters.

Users can access the service with any wireless enabled device.

The campaign will run for six weeks.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-wifi-on-queensland-rail-trains-20120802-23h4t.html

Untrue, it will not bring it as it is already in existence on many of the trains.
Yes they are assisting to defray the costs of supplying it, by their advertising.

Untrue, because many or most of them already have it.

I thought politicians were the architects of spin but this really takes the cake (and claims false credit for it after it was cooked).

[Arnz]

IIRC the advertisers are also "funding" the extension of the downloadable limit past 20mb?  I would guess 35mb-40mb?

[Fares_Fair]

IIRC the advertisers are also "funding" the extension of the downloadable limit past 20mb?  I would guess 35mb-40mb?

If that is the case then they should promote that point, because many users are aware of the current 20Mb limitation.

[nathandavid88]

IIRC the advertisers are also "funding" the extension of the downloadable limit past 20mb?  I would guess 35mb-40mb?

If that is the case then they should promote that point, because many users are aware of the current 20Mb limitation.

They really should, because this is the first I've heard of there being a limit! It's not really applicable to me, as I don't browse much on my phone, but a little warning would be nice!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Then they obviously haven't read the terms and conditions of connecting and using the service as it states the allowence and when it resets.

Edit:

9.0 Your obligations and rights
We reserve the right to suspend the Service if we: (a) reasonably believe that your use of the Service is unreasonably excessive (i.e., in excess of 20 megabytes per four hour period); or (b) reasonably believe that you are using the Service for criminal or illegal activities; or (c) you are otherwise in breach of these Terms. You do not have the right to resell this Service to a third party.

[Gazza]

Then they obviously haven't read the terms and conditions of connecting and using the service as it states the allowence and when it resets.

Lol who wants to read that encyclopaedia.

Dot points, thanks QR.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Haha, it's not that long. Even if they read the key parts once they'd understand. Pretty sure its also located on the FAQ tab under data allocation. Doesn't get much simplier than that. The signage won't display it as it means reprinting and replacing all the signage each time its modified.

9.0 Your obligations and rights

You are responsible at your own expense for having suitable computing equipment such as laptop or pocket personal computers with wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g) and associated software and configurations for use with the Service.

You will be sharing your trip with others so please consider the privacy, peace and personal space of others. Please make sure you behave in a way which does not disturb or cause offence to your fellow passengers.

You must not use the Service to:

    make high volume data transfers, especially sustained high volume data transfers;
    host a web server or any other server;
    access someone else's account;
    send unsolicited bulk e-mail;
    collect other people's personal data without their knowledge;
    interfere with other network users;
    for any defamatory or illegal purpose;
    disturb or cause offence to others;
    access content with respect to adult or sexually explicit material, criminal activity, games, hacking, intolerance and hate, personals and dating, advertisements and pop-ups, alcohol and tobacco, chat, gambling, illegal drugs, intimate apparel and swimwear, peer to peer, phishing and fraud, proxies and translators.

We reserve the right to filter the traffic on this Service, at all times and the following items/ conditions are to apply to the traffic:

    Only HTTP, HTTPS and email traffic will be allowed.
    FTP, VPN and Peer to Peer traffic will not be transported.
    Web access to the categories outlined in Your Obligations and Rights will be filtered.

We reserve the right to suspend the Service if we: (a) reasonably believe that your use of the Service is unreasonably excessive (i.e., in excess of 20 megabytes per four hour period); or (b) reasonably believe that you are using the Service for criminal or illegal activities; or (c) you are otherwise in breach of these Terms. You do not have the right to resell this Service to a third party.

Double checked and its in the FAQ aswell.

[ozbob]

Inbound on SMU268, just did a remote speed test: speed on SMU268 is 3.01 Mbps (3014 kbps)  download speed is 377 KB/s (0.37 MB/s).  Good!

[ozbob]

Now onboard IMU188, wifi speed test:

Your line speed is 3.45 Mbps (3451 kbps).
Your download speed is 431 KB/s (0.42 MB/s)

[ozbob]

It would vary by location and number of users on the train?

possibly, but good to have some start points.

I will do the same during peak, but I expect the speed will be good.  Simply because the bandwidth is  huge relative to the number of users ..

[verbatim9]

Now that Papers online have been enriched with video and other data hungry embedded applications. It would be fair to say that the current 20mb limit of free Wi-Fi is far inadequate for today's browsing habits. Should be increased to at least 100mb. per session. With the option of a small payment for extra data up to 1gb.

[SurfRail]

The entire thing is piggybacked off the communication system for free.  I doubt they have the funding to do anything more.

[ozbob]

^ it is useful for emergency use only.  I normally no longer use it but just stick to my own mobile wifi stuff. 

QR have been repeatedly asked to increase the bandwidth limit for users but nothing has happened or is likely too is my guess.  The system is as SurfRail has said it is really just a byproduct of the security/comms system.  Not done expressly for WIFI as such.

[aldonius]

I find it's usually enough for about 30 minutes of casual web browsing if I avoid videos (and many video hosting sites are blocked outright anyway).

[Fares_Fair]

I have had business people approach me and say that they hop on the train at Nambour and before they have left the station that they have used up the 20Mb Wi-Fi limit.
Downloading work emails would do that easily if attachments involved.

[verbatim9]

Exactly @ Fares_Fair 20mbs doesnt go far. If you were to have your own Data stick you would be lucky to have reception with Vodafone or Optus Lots of reception black spots from Nambour to Caboolture

[James]

Free Wi-Fi on board is better than a lot of other transit networks, particularly for suburban services. Maybe the only change should be allowing the 20 MB to reset once every hour or so. Being realistic though, really it is only those without local SIMs (i.e. international tourists) who need it, and I'm sure they welcome any Wi-Fi they can get. 3G (and now 4G) is faster.

[verbatim9]

I have noticed a few advocating for more Data allowance on trains with free wifi. Apparently in Perth its unlimited ?
How much Wi-Fi will be available to commuters?
Businessmen tell me 20Mb limit insufficient for 2 hour trip.
#2tracks https://t.co/jnEP66ps4E

[ozbob]

I can use my 20MB wifi allowance up between Goodna and Darra.  It is not adequate for much at all.

The token wifi on QR is really just that.  It is available through the security system.  It was added on to that as sort of a bonus.  I doubt if the system they use has the bandwidth for much more.  As for most things in Queensland, everything is half baked.

[Derwan]

I doubt if the system they use has the bandwidth for much more.  As for most things in Queensland, everything is half baked.

Or done because some politician was trying to score points and ordered it to happen despite the real-life considerations and limitations.