Queensland Rail Free Wi-Fi

[HappyTrainGuy]

The security cctv feeds are the main priority. Not some business man on a 2hr trip. Use your phone data and stop being such a scab if you don't like the allowance.

[verbatim9]

The security cctv feeds are the main priority. Not some business man on a 2hr trip. Use your phone data and stop being such a scab if you don't like the allowance.

20mb is not really sufficient. QR is better not offering it all if thats the case. WA offer unlimited. Westfield offer 3 hours a day or 1Gb. Likewise with the free Wi-Fi in that BCC offers throughout the CBD. Libraries unlimited.

[red dragin]

The security cctv feeds are the main priority. Not some business man on a 2hr trip. Use your phone data and stop being such a scab if you don't like the allowance.

20mb is not really sufficient. QR is better not offering it all if thats the case. WA offer unlimited. Westfield offer 3 hours a day or 1Gb. Likewise with the free Wi-Fi in that BCC offers throughout the CBD. Libraries unlimited.

Westfield isn't offering wireless delivered network, and is aiming to keep people in the shops longer.

20mb does me long enough to check Facebook. Half the time my Nexus 6P doesn't get along well with the wifi and I use my plan data.

If I can use my data, they can too. Or 'unplug' and enjoy the ride 

[verbatim9]

I am quite aware of the technology used. Despite what technology is used to deliver WiFi 20mb is not sufficient. Everyone knows that there has been an explosion of web content on a page and the use of tablets and smart phones.

[red dragin]

And mobile data charges have dropped.

For $124 a month we got 2GB of data, when we signed those contracts two years ago. Our new plans give us 8.5GB of data for $125 per month (including phones). There are plenty of other places that offer free wifi (maccas, BCC Parks).

Why should they provide more data at their cost? People aren't going to not catch the train cause the wifi limit is low.

And using the old "someone else is doing it" argument can quickly involve a bridge.

[Gazza]

And mobile data charges have dropped.

For $124 a month we got 2GB of data, when we signed those contracts two years ago. Our new plans give us 8.5GB of data for $125 per month (including phones). There are plenty of other places that offer free wifi (maccas, BCC Parks).

Why should they provide more data at their cost? People aren't going to not catch the train cause the wifi limit is low.

And using the old "someone else is doing it" argument can quickly involve a bridge.

So why can't QR offer more data for the same running cost.
You said yourself that we get more data on our phone plans, yet QR aren't seeing the same sort of improvement from their providers?

[verbatim9]

Thats what I mentioned prior. Whats the point of offering WiFi on trains then if mobile plans coverage are sufficient.

[verbatim9]

And mobile data charges have dropped.

For $124 a month we got 2GB of data, when we signed those contracts two years ago. Our new plans give us 8.5GB of data for $125 per month (including phones). There are plenty of other places that offer free wifi (maccas, BCC Parks).

Why should they provide more data at their cost? People aren't going to not catch the train cause the wifi limit is low.

And using the old "someone else is doing it" argument can quickly involve a bridge.

So why can't QR offer more data for the same running cost.
You said yourself that we get more data on our phone plans, yet QR aren't seeing the same sort of improvement from their providers?

Thats right if data charges have decreased then QR should and can revise their data plan on free Wi-Fi.

[red dragin]

And mobile data charges have dropped.

For $124 a month we got 2GB of data, when we signed those contracts two years ago. Our new plans give us 8.5GB of data for $125 per month (including phones). There are plenty of other places that offer free wifi (maccas, BCC Parks).

Why should they provide more data at their cost? People aren't going to not catch the train cause the wifi limit is low.

And using the old "someone else is doing it" argument can quickly involve a bridge.

So why can't QR offer more data for the same running cost.
You said yourself that we get more data on our phone plans, yet QR aren't seeing the same sort of improvement from their providers?

Fair point, didn't think of that. Perhaps it is time for a review of the limit, but we shouldn't expect unlimited.

WiFi on the trains is a "side effect" of the CCTV bandwidth, as mentioned above. I wonder what sort of bandwidth they have? Each carriage has its own router (which has an IP matching the trainset and car number <closest I could find to geeky glasses)

[#Metro]

I think TransLink should take over the WiFi and roll it out on trains, light rail, ferries etc.

They should get a contractor with hi speed and good quality. If people want to use WiFi then the first x MB could be free and then after that

you sign up and pay for the high speed option/download option for 3 days, 7 days, 30 days etc.

[verbatim9]

Thats a good idea!

[red dragin]

QR have added track closures to the tick box page on the on board WiFi - a simple and great idea. 

[Cam]

The only time I have used the QR free WiFi, the first thing I did was to download the speedtest.net app to check the speed provided by the service. The download stopped before the app finished downloading because the limit was reached.

[verbatim9]

The only time I have used the QR free WiFi, the first thing I did was to download the speedtest.net app to check the speed provided by the service. The download stopped before the app finished downloading because the limit was reached.

Many are calling for a review on the data download/allowance as posted a few months back. 150mb - 200mb free then pay. 4 bucks per 1gb there after per day!? Resets to free after  3am the next day.

[ozbob]

The only time I have used the QR free WiFi, the first thing I did was to download the speedtest.net app to check the speed provided by the service. The download stopped before the app finished downloading because the limit was reached.

[red dragin]

The only time I have used the QR free WiFi, the first thing I did was to download the speedtest.net app to check the speed provided by the service. The download stopped before the app finished downloading because the limit was reached.

I only use it because my Nexus 6P seems to have a dislike to the train's - loose all signal between about Bray Park until after Petrie. Also struggles in places like Central.

[Cam]

The metallic tinting on the windows significantly reduces the signal strength into carriages.

[red dragin]

The metallic tinting on the windows significantly reduces the signal strength into carriages.

Didn't have the same issue with a Galaxy S4 on the countries most unreliable network (Telstra). Figured its either Optus or the phone itself.

[verbatim9]

Hopefully the maximum data usage will be increased on the city SEQ Network from 20mb to ? not just the tilt train as the media release stated today.

"We know our passengers on the Tilt Train enjoy having entertainment as they travel up and down the southern Queensland coast and introducing the free Wi-Fi trial increases their options.

"The 200mb limit means everyone on the train can get a fair share and will enable passengers to catch-up with the latest news, browse their favourite websites or check emails.

[longboi]

Hopefully the maximum data usage will be increased on the city SEQ Network from 20mb to ? not just the tilt train as the media release stated today.

"We know our passengers on the Tilt Train enjoy having entertainment as they travel up and down the southern Queensland coast and introducing the free Wi-Fi trial increases their options.

"The 200mb limit means everyone on the train can get a fair share and will enable passengers to catch-up with the latest news, browse their favourite websites or check emails.

Don't count on it.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail Wi-Fi data won't last for international tourists

INTERNATIONAL and interstate Commonwealth Games visitors are being warned not to rely on Queensland Rail's Wi-Fi service to reach their destination

QR offers 20MB of download within a four-hour period but the data could expire moments after you connect, according to technology expert Trevor Long.

Mr Long said tourists often use free Wi-Fi services because international data roaming was so expensive.

However to get the most out of QR's service, commuters should avoid social media, disengage apps and prevent downloading of email attachments, Mr Long said.

"You're probably going to get between five and 20 minutes of connectivity at best," Mr Long told The Courier-Mail.

The Today show and 4BC techspert said social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram are designed to "consume" as much data as possible.

There's the additional problem that apps can automatically update or refresh when a phone connects to a Wi-Fi.

"Don't even think about opening Facebook, especially if a video begins to load," he said

"An international visitor doesn't use data roaming because of the cost but whenever they connect to Wi-Fi, their phone 'thinks' their at home and updates the phone.

He said downloading a map would burn through data and should be avoided.

If tourists were intending to use their smart phone map, they may be better having a printed one.

"Twenty meg isn't going to get you navigation from point A to Point B," Mr Long said.

"Even for a light user, it's not going to give you a lot of time (on the net)."

Griffith University computer science professor Bill Caelli said it QR's 20MB offer was a "nice service, but extremely limited" for international visitors.

The QR data offer is comparable to the service on trains in Wales while New York has an hour time limit and the Gatwick Express has free Wi-Fi but does not state any limits.

A QR spokesman said the service was designed for basic internet usage and the average daily usage was less than 20MB.

"The average daily usage per passenger Wi-Fi session is between 15 to 16MB and on average, daily Wi-Fi data usage across the network is between 90,000MB to 100,000MB," the spokesman said.

"Queensland Rail has no current plans to increase data limits."
HOW TO UTILISE QR'S 20MB LIMIT

● Enable low power mode (disables a lot of "background use")

● Turn off automatic updating of apps.

● Turn off automatic video plays on Facebook and Instagram

● Turn off downloading of attachments in email

[verbatim9]

It's a joke! Better not to offer it at all until the data limit is increased to 200MB a day and the option to pay there after, for extra use within a day.

[Cam]

HOW TO UTILISE QR'S 20MB LIMIT: Missing 5th point

* Turn off your device - unless you're an ultralight user.

[techblitz]

are there even free-wifi stickers on the ngrs? Ive never really taken notice....

[verbatim9]

are there even free-wifi stickers on the ngrs? Ive never really taken notice....

Yes! I have noticed the free wifi notices on-board.

[techblitz]

ok thanks 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Remember the wifi isn't there for your use. It's CCTV streaming

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[verbatim9]

^ Have QR increased the data allowance?