The number of places where you can get free Wi-Fi broadband access is increasing almost daily. Moovera Networks has recently announced that it has been selected to deploy free Wi-Fi Internet access onto Thames Valley Park buses in the Reading area.
"Commuter routes are ideal for in-vehicle Wi-Fi services, with an increasing number of hand-held devices such as mobile phones and PDAs having Wi-Fi built-in, accessing the Internet to check your email, surf the web or update your blog is now easier than ever before. With free Wi-Fi access on the bus, TVP passengers in Reading can now make the most of their journey time to and from the office - at no cost to them. This really does represent another step towards the future of public transportation."
Jim Baker, Moovera CEO and founder
The system will make use of the Vodafone 3G network which can offer speeds of up to 3.6Mbps with a gateway installed on each bus to provide Wi-Fi access to passengers. The systems installed should also allow the bus company to track vehicle movements in real-time and give the potential for remote access to CCTV on vehicles.
Being able to access the Internet while crawling through rush-hour traffic may not appeal to all, but gives people a chance to catch up on the news. Who knows, if the service is popular, we may see more car commuters switching to public transport.
"Who knows, if the service is popular, we may see more car commuters switching to public transport."
Or maybe there will just be a trail of cars following buses grabbing free bandwidth :)
What's with the apparently sudden announcements of free wifi? First BT's FON deal, then McD's now the buses... Maybe it will actually be useful having wifi on my phone now if I can actually use it when I'm away from home of the office.