More Wi-Fi Options Coming to Commuters in 2009
For those of us serious about ensuring that we are never unplugged, there is always a service, option, device, whatever that can make that a reality. But 2009 is shaping up to be the beginning of a period when the rest of us catch up whether we want to or not, as wireless hot spots finally push their way into transit options in a big time way. And with a major chunk of the public spending a fair amount of time commuting by planes, trains and automobiles it's about time.
Of course late last year a variety of airlines including Delta, Virgin America, American Airlines and Air Canada announced that they had launched or planned to launch Wi-Fi on a limited number of flights domestically. But most of us working stiffs are not jet setters, so that leaves trains and automobiles, right? Actually, we can expect to see some changes here as well. With regards to trains, California-based broadband provider Wi-Fi Rail Network has recently announced the approval of a contract with the San Francisco Bay Area's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system that will bring high speed Internet to commuters system-wide by the end of 2010. The BART system consists of over a 100 miles of track connected by over 40 stations, linking San Francisco to cities and residential areas north, south and east as well as both the San Francisco and Oakland airports. In tests trains moving up to 85MPH reported consistent connection speeds up to 15mbps based on a signal provided by a network of fiber optic cable laid along the train lines and transmitted to trains every mile. Service is planned on a subscription model estimated to follow a pricing pattern of: Day Passes - $10, Monthly Passes - $30, Annual Passes - $300, with corporate plans eventually available. If this service ends up being profitable, or even break even, which will be the ultimate yardsticks, look for similar plans for comparable rapid transit systems all over the country.
Carpoolers can also expect to see wireless options move beyond GPS services and OnStar soon as well, as dealerships across the country, led by Chrysler's UConnect Web system, launch hot spot functionality available with new Chysler, Jeep and Dodge models. The MSRP for the UConnect hardware is $450, not including an installation fee and a monthly access fee of about $30. The lament here, which has been repeated many times and in many places will of course be "one more distraction for drivers," which is true enough, but for those with free and responsible hands who spend hours a day watching traffic from the passenger seat, it could be a godsend. The additional caveat is that the big hit that the auto industry has taken in the current economic downtown could knock this Wi-Fi trend off track. The year is young yet, so only time will tell.
In the meantime check out video below of UConnect Web in action.
--Tom Milnes
Claudia on January 31, 2009 at 08:58 PM
I do not wish to be connected at all times. I find it deeply disheartening that we work tirelessly to be connected rather than talk to the people next to us on all those transports...
Arup Nanda on February 01, 2009 at 06:37 PM
I'm not sure how the in car Wi Fi access point is useful. First, this is not really a WiFi access point; but probably a cellular multiplexer using cellular networks. Well, how is that relevant? Plenty. If you want to use a cell network, get a broandband access card that you can use anywhere, not just the overpriced car you have the access point on. It reminds me of the "high-end" refrigerator fad with a built in web browsing LCD panel. Instead of forking over $1000 extra, just buy a cheap laptop for $300.
Anyway, about the distractions to the driver. The argument that the Wifi access is for the passenger is laughable. How many cars in America have passengers who browse the web? Carpooling is yet to pick up big time. Even in successful carpools, passengers usually actively converse with the driver. Imagine the intensity of that conversation when internet comes into it. Those who seriously dabble in work while being a passenger usually have a broadband card anyway. If the car has an access point, it will most likely be used by the driver, often out of boredome rather than necessity. That distraction will be deadly and we can't afford that. There is a reason there is no TV in the car dashboard.
Years ago there was such a thing called car-phones - essentially cell phones but so huge that they had to be mounted permanently in the car (or at least stowed in it). Once cell phones becase smaller and less power hungry, portablilty became the driving factor. Portable mobile phones spelled the doom for car phones. One is fixed in the car, the other can be stowed in your vest pocket or on your belt - which would you prefer? If you want internet access for whatever reason while in the car - as a driver or passeger - what will you prefer: one that is in the car itself or a card that allows you access from anywhere?
Ed Lilly on February 02, 2009 at 04:21 PM
My guess is that Wi-Fi access in the car, to the extent you could access internet radio, might be useful. If you want to listen to a Chicago afternoon show on the East Coast, for instance, you can simply access it on the web, play it through the car sound system.