Amtrak lines in Philadelphia and New York are getting ready to test free broadband Internet service next month, officials said Wednesday.
Passing through Harrisburg, Penn., Philadelphia and New York, the line will use satellite-based service provided by start-up NRoute Communications. Passengers will get limited access to e-mail, some online shopping and “transactional” Web sites (shopping channels). There will be a fee for full Internet access and pay-per-view movies. An Associated Press report said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation floated a $155,000 grant for the system.
NRoute will provide the installation and maintenance for the equipment which include a kiosk-like interactive touch-screen and access point. The AP also acts as a hotspot for laptop users, who will be able to pay a fee to gain full access to the Internet. A local caching server on board holds video content, with updated news, weather, sports and advertising. Large updates to the server would occur when the train is at the station, he said.
NRoute has used the INMARSAT M4 Terminal in aircraft but access to Inmarsat usually goes for $7.50 a minute.
Mobile internet access is tricky. Cellular (and “4G”) networks would be cheaper but their coverage is restricted. A train is likely to pass through many dead spots. Satellite connectivity could be a good match for trains - if it works.
Buses commuters can use “3G” cellular with 802.11b networks. Qualcom’s Cyberbus uses 1XEV/DO for the backhaul. Mesh Networks supplys a bus with a mesh backbone relay. Passengers in both of these vehicles connect inside with 802.11b.
Aircraft use satellites for internet connectivity. EMS Technologies uses bonded dual 64 Kbps satellite channels for 128 Kbps throughput on a deHavilland aircraft. They demonstrated file transfers, live video transmissions and video conferencing in Sydney, Australia using a HSD-128 terminal. They used a CMC Electronics CMA-2102 SATCOM antenna.
European-based Airbus plans to add broadband satellite connectivity to commercial aircraft with Tenzing Communinations. Their AirTV will provide live television coupled with the S-band datalink from the ground to the aircraft. Boeing-led Connexion plans a similar airborne communications service.
Both are expensive.
Spot beams on the Ka band promise fast, economical, nationwide service because the limited, shared bandwidth can be re-used. Gilat’s VSAT dish, for example, will provide an always-on connection with downstream rates up to 52.5 Mbps and uplink rates up to 307.2 kbps on the Ka band. Whether the monopoly Echostar/Hughes provider will supply cost/effective service with Spaceways is anybody’s guess. A phased-array satellite antenna, linked to a consumer-level Ka-band satellite may make it practical - in a few years. Meanwhile, NRoute has grabbed the high ground for public exposure.
Low-cost, unlimited use, consumer satellite internet is available for $50-$100/month. Here are some mobile, 2-way satellite dishes that might be used on a van. None currently provide connectivity while mobile - yet. Phased arrays may offer the best bet.
Company: Imark
- Service: eHighwayman mobile satelite
URL: http://www.ehighwayman.com
Bandwidth: 400Kb down, 128Kb up
Cost: Unknown (heard $200/month)
Company: Satcom
- Service: PASSPort MDBS-AA2000
URL: http://www.satcomweb.com/mobile.htm
Bandwidth: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Company: Sky Gate
- Service: low-cost 1-way or 2-way flat antennas
URL: http://www.skygate.nl/p+s.htm
Bandwidth: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Company: Motosat
- Service: Automatic Pointing to the DirecWay Satellite
URL: http://www.motosat.com/twoway_001.htm
Bandwidth: DirectWay (64-128K up, 500K down)
Cost: Dish about $5k, service $90/mo
Company: Swe-dish
- Service: Portable 2-way internet dish (US)
URL: http://www.Swe-dish.com
Bandwidth: (128kbps-2Mbps)
Cost: Dish about $5k, service varies
Company: Tachyon
- Service: Transportable 2-way internet dish
URL: http://www.tachyon.net
Bandwidth: (128kbps-2Mbps)
Cost: Dish about $5k, T-1 for $600 to $2,000/mo
Company: Nera Sat Phone
- Service: CNN’s mobile video phone
URL: http://www.mobileuniverse.com
Bandwidth: (64Kbps-128kbps)
Cost: Flat panel sat transponder about $8k, 64K on Inmarsat for $7.50/min
Meanwhile, 3G (Data Only) “wireless DSL” service from providers like Monet Wireless http://www.monetmobile.com can deliver approx 500k to mobile users and may have the best shot in urban corridors (until “4G” comes around).
It’s remarkable that news media haven’t taken advantage of technology. The McGuffin’s Great Lakes Heritage Canoe Trip used a satellite phone for interviews and updates. But Cycle Oregon and their on route columnist NEED images. Give the man a Ricoh i700. This is not rocket science, people.
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