WiFi on Trains
(New York, NY) – If you commute to work by rail, on either NJ Transit, MetroNorth, or Long Island Rail Road, chances are you’ve noticed the WiFi coverage can be spotty at best. As explained in a recent Wall Street Journal article, this is because riding on trains forces your devices to rapidly switch between cell towers — which delays the signal. Plus, on crowded trains, too many people are trying to get WiFi, creating a sort of digital traffic jam.
Now, there’s some thought that Elon Musk’s company Starlink could make a difference. Some train companies are focused on placing receivers on trains so that they are compatible with the satellites that provide WiFi via Starlink. The company has been noted for its success bringing wireless internet coverage to remote areas, and Starlink has been providing WiFi during the war in Ukraine, and the aftermath of the deadly fires in Hawaii.
The Wall Street Journal piece notes that some train companies and transit authorities are more focused on adapting 5G technology in a bid to boost WiFi. Cellular providers are also trying to boost the number of cell towers near rail tracks, as the existing infrastructure is more built up in residential areas and along busy roadways.
