Wi-Fi comes to Heathrow Express
November 7, 2006Passengers travelling on the Heathrow Express train service from Paddington will be able to make use of Wi-Fi internet access from next year.
Mobile communications company T-Mobile is making the service available on the high-speed rail link, including when the trains pass through tunnels. This will work by way of an antenna attached to the train that will connect with the T-Mobile network in the tunnels.
The 8mbps broadband service will be available from early 2007, with passengers buying HotSpot access passes via their computer. These can also be used at various locations within Heathrow terminals and around London.
A one-hour pass (which must be used within 24 hours) costs £5 – or passengers can sign up to a monthly deal, which costs £10 per month for T-Mobile customers or £20 per month for others.
The Heathrow Express connects the west London airport to Paddington in central London, with journeys taking around 15 minutes.
"While the Heathrow Express is a relatively short route, the Wi-Fi service will enable business users to check their email or send important documents prior to a flight or meeting," said a T-Mobile spokesman.
He added that the service would particularly benefit businesspeople rushing for meetings and holidaymakers wanting to upload photos to their blogs or download songs.
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