US national rail company Amtrak is expanding availability of its cellular-based Wi-Fi service, AmtrakConnect, across its national network.
The company is also advancing new wireless technology on trains that will lead to overall improvements in Wi-Fi reliability and performance. The latest expansion will see more than 90% of Amtrak’s customers have access to free onboard Wi-Fi.
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AmtrakConnect service is currently offered on several eastern long-distance trains, including the Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore and Silver Service.
Amtrak passenger experience senior director Lenetta McCampbell said: "Expanding our Wi-Fi network to eastern long-distance trains provides customers with a much-anticipated and expected amenity.
"Now, more than 28 million customers have access to free onboard Wi-Fi.
"Our commitment to expand and enhance the customer experience through connectivity is another reason why Amtrak is the smarter way to travel."
According to Amtrak, it is also embarking on a multi-year programme aimed at overhauling its current Wi-Fi service. Under the first phase, next-generation Wi-Fi solution will replace Amtrak’s original onboard equipment, which has been in service since 2010.
Implementation of this advanced solution will allow Amtrak to include higher-speed backhaul technologies such as trackside Wi-Fi and a satellite.
In addition, it will lay the foundation for future applications that will further improve the customer experience, including onboard entertainment and real-time journey information.
The second phase will focus on further construction of the company’s private trackside wireless network and a high-speed fibre network, which when implemented over the next two to four years, could stretch from Washington DC to Boston.
McCampbell added:"Our next-generation onboard technology solution, in combination with our trackside network, will enable us to provide our customers with a better, faster and even more reliable internet experience, while also enabling Amtrak to remain competitive in the aggressive travel marketplace."
Image: Amtrak is now offering free Wi-Fi on eastern Long-Distance trains. Photo: courtesy of Amtrak.
